Incidents have begun taking place again in Roboski in recent weeks with the appointment of Abdullah Baysal, who was present in in the area during the original massacre of 34 people, to the Şırnak Division Command.
Incidents have begun taking place again in Roboski in recent weeks with the appointment of Abdullah Baysal, who was present in in the area during the original massacre of 34 people, and has now been promoted to major general, to the Şirnak Division Command. After frequent arrest and fining of young people in Roboskil, dozens of mules of local people involved in smuggling were shot and killed. The residents of Roboski held a 3-day protest against the authorities, and fear that there may be another massacre.
Veli Encü told ANF that the killing of their mules on the orders of major general Abdullah Baysal had enraged the people of Roboski. He added: "For 4 years we have been seeking justice and have faced many threats and instances of persecution from the authorities. This latest attack has led the people to revolt."
No investment apart from village guard system
Encü said that smuggling was something that had gone on for a hundred years, adding: "for geographic reasons agriculture and livestock farming are not possible here. The climate is harsh on account of the mountains. The authorities have made no investment here apart from the village guard system."
Encü said the local people did not consider what they did to be smuggling, as it was carried out with the knowledge of the military. "We have no alternative but to engage in cross-border trade," he added, saying that prior to the Roboski massacre the sugar, tea, cigarettes and diesel they brought with them would be confiscated or shots fired over their heads to frighten them. He said that sometimes their mules would be impounded, but that since the massacre things had got worse, "because now there is a social struggle in Roboski, an honourable resistance. We do not remain silent, so they are trying to intimidate us. They want to force us to leave by preventing us carrying out cross-border trade."
Veli Encü added that since charges had been dropped against those responsible for the original massacre, the authorities had tried to ostracise them. He added: "The people of Roboski are fed up with the threats and repression of the state. If it continues the people may even leave." He said plans were being made to perpetrate fresh massacres.
