Clashes erupt during Nevruz celebrations in eastern Turkey, one child injured

BATMAN/ŞIRNAK – Anadolu Agency

DHA photo

Police officers and one child have been wounded in clashes that erupted during Nevruz celebrations in eastern Turkey.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) organized Nevruz events on March 19 in the Batman and Şırnak provinces. Locals gathered in Şırnak’s Bahçelievler district as HDP lawmakers Hasip Kaplan and Selma Irmak also participated in the celebration. 

A group of people carrying flags of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) allegedly attacked police during the event. 

Police fired water cannon to disperse the group.
 
Five police officers and a 5-year-old child were wounded due to stones thrown by the group. The six were taken to Şırnak State Hospital. 

Meanwhile, a group of masked people blocked the main road leading to Diyarbakır by setting car tires on fire, marring celebrations in Batman’s Pazaryeri district. 

They also allegedly attacked police vehicles, an ambulance and a hearse passing by. 
A police car hit by a Molotov cocktail was also burnt.