Isfahan farmers protest over rights to water, clash with security forces

Isfahan farmers protest over rights to water, clash with security forces

Farmers of Gharneh clash with repressive security forces over the right to water

Reported by PMOI/MEK

Iran, Nov. 25, 2018 - On Sunday, the farmers of Gharneh, East Isfahan, gathered in front of the Yazd water pumping station in protest to the government’s mismanagement of water sources. In the past years, the Iranian regime’s corrupt policies has cut off adequate access to irrigation water, causing much damage to the farmers of Isfahan.

The IRGC, which controls a large part of the country’s economy, has been using the province’s water sources for its own benefit. The building of dams and water channels, which are serving the needs of IRGC-run companies, are threatening to destroy the farming lands of Isfahan.

Farmers of Gharneh protest for their right to water

In the past year, the farmers of Isfahan have protested for months and on several occasions, demanding their right to water. As the regime has failed to respond to the demands of the farmers, they decided to take matters in their own hands. Sunday’s protest was taking place in front of one of the IRGC-run water pumping stations, which channels Isfahan’s waters to the neighboring Yazd province to serve the needs of different regime-affiliated companies.

The protesters threatened to destroy the station if the government does not take concrete measures to fulfill their demands. The farmers had brought along their front loaders and machinery.

At noon, still having received no response, the farmers proceeded with destroying the pipeline that channels the station’s water to Yazd. Security forces subsequently attacked the farmers.

The pipeline that sends Isfahan's water to Yazd

East Isfahan is home to more than 300,000 people, most of whom are farmers. In the past years, drought and mismanagement of water by the government has caused a real threat to their livelihoods. The farmers have time and again protested to the transfer of the province’s water to Yazd.

Isfahan is not the only province where water protests are ongoing. In recent months, similar protests have taken place in Khuzestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. Regime officials have promised to respond to the demands of the farmers, but have yet to fulfill their promises.

Protests by farmers of Isfahan