Posted by February 2, 2010
Source:
Lar residents attack banks and clash with anti-riot police
Latest report from the city of Lar (in the province of Fars): Angered people in the city of Lar attack banks, police stations, and anti-riot police forces.
Today, people from the city of Lar clashed with anti-riot police forces and attacked Melli and Mellat banks and a police station. The clashes were a result of the people’s discontent over the decision to make Gerash, one of the nearby villages into a city.
Some windows were smashed and people were arrested and injured. Anti-riot police used tear gas and fired shots to disperse [the crowd]. The people reacted by fighting back. Consequently, a number of people were injured and were sent to Imam Reza hospital, the only hospital in the city.
There were many arrests, but only 16 have been transferred to Shiraz so far. From yesterday and today, the [police force] has arrested 120 people, and ten of them have been released since. People are banned from traveling and anti-riot police are remaining in the streets. [City officials] have promised that a group from Tehran would be arriving today at 3:00pm to investigate the people’s claims. The people believe that this is a lie. Additionally, according to reports, strikes are being planned that will result in shops in the city closing their doors until the people receive their rights.
Translation by: Tour Irani
Source: Iran Press News/Planet Iran
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Clashes in Lar intensify as protesters attack a police station: Witness Account
: Based on the latest reports from Lar, today’s Friday prayer in this city was canceled because of street protests and demonstrations. According to a witness, city of Lar is crawling with people and a crowd of up to 4km has gathered in front of the Aazam Hosseiniye.
A group of people are reported to have attacked a police station in order to confront the riot police over their use of rubber bullets the previous night, which had resulted in over forty injuries.
The witness claims: Fearful of the unity amongst the people, the riot police are reported to have quickly left the town. The riot police are not Iranians as they have no mercy on women, men, young and old, and brutally beat anyone they encounter with their batons. The whole city is loudly chanting against the authorities. Resorting to their chants of Imam Hussein, people were saying that they will resists, not submit to disgrace, and continue their strike and protests. This demonstration is still continuing and will continue tomorrow and the day after, until the people’s demands are met.