Heavy security measures have been taken in Sivas by the governor Ali Kolay who released a statement on Sunday to announce that not a single person will be allowed to go beyond the "red zone" guarded by police inside the city on Monday.

Thousands of people have arrived in Sivas to commemorate 33 intellectuals who died in a fire set by an Islamist mob during an Alevi culture festival on 2 July 1933. People arriving in the city have been subjected to id control at police control points at different sites in the city. Around two thousand police officers have been brought to the city to provide assistance during the day.

A large number of political parties, civil society organizations and civilian people have arrived in the city to join the activities for the 19th anniversary of the massacre. Commemoration activities for the massacre have been organized in many provinces around the country as well.

Police search and security measures have been intensified in the city since 29 June. Even the banners of the people have been checked by police before the starting of activities.

The Madýmak Hotel, the scene of the deadly fire in 1993, has also been surrounded by police and special team units.

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ will also join the activities in Sivas with a group of deputies.

BDP central office released a statement today to memorize the victims of the Sivas massacre. The BDP statement underlined that the Turkish state has covered up the massacre up to day, paving the way for new incidents like those in Gazi district of Istanbul in 1995 and in Roboski village of Þýrnak in 2011. Turkey must face its past and dark history to serve justice and ensure social peace, said BDP.