Tense Situation in Tavush Province: Villagers Block Road in Protest, Traffic Jam Extends for Several Kilometers

For over an hour now, a tense situation has developed on the 120th km section of the Yerevan-Ijevan-Noyemberyan highway. Residents of Khshatak village have blocked the road in protest, demanding the arrival of Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan.

According to Shamshyan.com, participants of the protest stated, “For a long time, we have been demanding that the relevant authorities put an end to the actions of former National Assembly member Khachatur Kokobelyan that are ruining the Aghstev River. How greedy and insatiable must a person be to curse the nature of our ancestors, thinking that they will earn a few extra coins? You built a hydropower plant, good for you, but at what cost to the residents, farmers, and nature? We have repeatedly appealed to the competent authorities, but nothing has changed. Today, we are forced to block the road because you can see how, thanks to Kh. Kokobelyan, the Aghstev River is flooding the area of the ‘Getap’ recreation area, even inundating buildings and playgrounds. We want to break the indifference of the officials with this step so that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Suren Papikyan become aware of the situation; otherwise, we have no hope from the governor, who only gives good speeches—like a gathering of mice, just talking but not taking action.”

The photojournalist reports that the traffic jam extends for several kilometers and law enforcement is currently negotiating with the protesters.

For more details, see the original source.