Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran, Jan. 2, 2019 – Around 2,000 farmers of the Khorasgan district in Isfahan Province, central Iran, rallied on Wednesday at the famous Khaju Bridge in the city of Isfahan. A large number of women were also seen attending this gathering, as participants demand authorities open the flow of Zayanderud River so the farmers can provide water for their lands and go on with their lives.
Farmers of Isfahan are clashing with anti-riot units dispatched to the scene of Wednesday’s massive protest rally. The Iranian regime’s oppressive state police took measures to prevent the farmers’ demonstration and even resorted to shooting bird-shots. The farmers were seen chanting, “Coward, coward,” and ridiculing the regime’s security units.
“Our incompetent government is our disgrace”
Anti-riot units stationed at Isfahan’s Khaju Bridge – Iran
Authorities had dispatched anti-riot units from early Wednesday morning, aiming to prevent the expansion of this rally.
One of the farmers said, “We have come to get what is rightfully ours. Nothing else. This government must give us what is rightfully ours and we’ll go home. If we receive our share of river waters, we’ll go home. Each day they provide new but hollow promises. Until when do they want to just give promises? Enough is enough. Return the Zayanderud River to us. We don’t want a tunnel or a dam. Just give us the water in our wells. Give us the water from Zayanderud River. Nothing else.”
Around 2,000 Khorasgan farmers rallying in Isfahan, central Iran
Around 2,000 Khorasgan farmers rallying in Isfahan, central Iran
Around 2,000 Khorasgan farmers rallying in Isfahan, central Iran
Around 2,000 Khorasgan farmers rallying in Isfahan, central Iran
Around 2,000 Khorasgan farmers rallying in Isfahan, central Iran
On Tuesday, these farmers held simultaneous rallies in the towns of Varzaneh and Khorasgan in Isfahan Province, chanting against the Iranian regime’s theft and plundering.
On Monday, Varzaneh farmers took to the streets, protesting water shortages and the regime’s corruption in managing water sources.
“We will fight, we will die and we will take back our rights,” the farmers chanted. The farmers were also shouting, “Hail to farmers, death to tyrants,” referring to regime officials who have contributed to province’s water problems.
Agriculture is one of the main occupations of Isfahan’s inhabitants. In recent years, the Iranian regime has engaged in a number of construction and production projects – many related to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) – disrupting the water sources used by Isfahan farmers to irrigate their fields.
One of the main points of argument is the Zayandeh Rud River, being one of the farmers’ principal water sources. The regime has constructed dams, water pipelines, and channels diverting Isfahan’s waters to other locations, resulting in considerable damage to farming activities.
In the past year, the farmers have held demonstrations on several accounts and for extended periods, protesting the regime’s lack of response to their needs and problems. Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani has pledged to solve the farmers’ problems in Isfahan and other provinces. However, he has yet to fulfill his promises.
On Monday, the protesting farmers were seen chanting, “Rouhani you liar, what happened to our Zayanderud?”
On Sunday, the farmers, fed up with the regime’s incompetence, were chanting, “If you don’t restore our rights to water, we’re ready for martyrdom.”
The farmers were also calling on other Iranians to join them and support their cause. “Noble compatriots, support us,” the farmers were chanting.
