VIDEO: Farmers block highway in southeastern Turkey to protest power cuts

MARDİN

DHA Photo

A group of farmers in the southeastern province of Mardin have blocked a highway by setting barricades on fire to protest against the consistent power cuts in the region.   

Farmers gathered at a power distribution unit on the road connecting Mardin to the city of Kızıltepe on Aug. 28, setting tires and stones on fire.

However, tensions erupted as gendarmerie officers cracked down on the farmers by using tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The protests have been going on for three days with farmers claiming the long power cuts, which have affected over 170 villages in the region, disrupt daily life.

The farmers also received support from Sultan Kösem, the world’s tallest man, who called for a solution to the problem.

“All of our animals have died because of the lack of water. We have been coming here for three days asking for a solution, but all we have received from the state is tear gas. I call this state terrorism,” Kösem said.

The protesters also received a visit from Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Gülser Yıldırım.