While Turkish military operations continue despite the ceasefire declared by the PKK on 13 August, Turkish police attacked a demonstration in Van which was held to protest Turkish military operations in which 9 Kurdish Guerrillas have lost their lives.  It is reported that police used water canons and real bullets against Kurdish protestors.

Pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) organised a protest in Van in which Kurdish MP’s Fatma Kurtulan and Ozdal Ucer took part. Following a press release read out in front of BDP office the crowd wanted to start a marching however, the police attacked the protestors with water canons and tears gas. It is reported that police also smashed the glasses of the shops who were supporting the protest. The witnesses also reported that police from time to time also used real bullets against protestors. While all the shopkeepers shut their shutters the tension in the city is reported to be still high.

BDP has announced that they have cancelled their Ramadan festival programme and invited the people to take part in the cemetery visit today at 9 o’clock.

It is also reported that during the unrest in Van several protestors got injured and at least 15 protestors were detained by the police. More police from neighbouring cities are deployed in the city.