Reported by PMOI/MEK
Iran, April 5, 2019 – Through the course of Wednesday and Thursday, regime authorities in Lorestan Province, western Iran, dispatched more than a thousand members of their repressive forces to the flood-hit town of Poldokhtar. Floods continue to ravage many cities, towns, and villages across the country.
A local citizen sent the following report in this regard from Poldokhtar:
“All these individuals have uniforms of the anti-riot units. We don’t know what this has to do with emergency aid. That is why it has been crystal clear for all of us that they have arrived for crackdown purposes, not to provide any aid. Locals held protest rallies in a few locations across the city, all of which were put down by these forces.
“Many homes have been destroyed at the entrance to Poldokhtar. The land those homes were built on is literally gone. The people living in those neighborhoods are protesting angrily, saying the government has destroyed our lives. Authorities have responded that these people do not have any right to build new homes. These people have lost their homes, their lives, their lands and the stores in front of their homes.
“The locals were seen protesting and expressing their rage to any officials visiting the area, not permitting them to enter their neighborhoods. They were silenced but it is completely obvious that they have only been temporarily silenced.
“Repressive forces swarmed to the area. On the other hand, the mayor denied his remarks on unauthorized construction. Instead, he claimed people are spreading rumors to take advantage of the locals’ feelings. All in all, they have silenced the current circumstances through their crackdown.
“On the first day when aid from the people had yet to arrive, the locals had rushed to the city’s Red Crescent and took everything they could. Then the regime’s oppressive forces were dispatched to Poledokhtar. They transferred the Red Crescent location to the city’s southern entrance where they have a large field and their choppers land there. It is surrounded by anti-riot units…”
This local also reported the following about those killed and currently missing in Poledokhtar.
“I am certain a large number of people are missing or killed. On the first day, the choppers were only transferring the dead and wounded. They didn’t say a word, but little by little it will be clear who is missing or dead. The internet was reconnected this afternoon and we are waiting to receive news about the casualties. Everyone believes many people have died because their mobile phones went off from the very beginning. No one had any news of one another. The lines are somewhat connected this afternoon and we believe the casualty numbers will be figured out by tomorrow or so. Also, no official has dared to enter the flood-hit areas inside the town. They’re too scared for their own lives.”
