Some people taking part to Newroz celebration in Istanbul are reported to be severely injured, including Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Kars MP Mülkiye Birtane and two civilians named Mahmut Afpar and Zana Ardoðmuþ.

Tension continues between police and thousands of people who are trying to reach the Kazlýçeþme Area in Zeytinburnu ditrict of Istanbul for Newroz celebrations.

On the other hand, clashes continue between police and hundreds of people who have lighted Newroz fires in Akþemsettin region. Among the people joining the celebration are also BDP deputies and chairs of political parties ESP, ÖDP and SDP.

In a statement about the events in Zeytinburnu, ESP President Figen Yüksekdað noted that an authorized police officer before the attack said that; “We will not allow the people in the area upon the instruction by Interior Minister”.

Yüksekdað remarked that the police attack on the mass was made with intense gas bombs which lead to the injury of many people who have been taken to hospital, including BDP MP Birtane.

During an identity control in the area, a DIHA reporter was also intervened by a police officer who seized the reporter’s camera and deleted the photographs taken today.

In the meantime, a nationalist group of around 50 people has gathered in Topkapý Suriçi area.