Crowds Gather Near Government Building as Citizens Protest

 I am from the village of Togh in the Hadrut region, which was the center of the Dizak principality during the 16th to 18th centuries. This means it had its own army and was engaged in the production of tobacco and wine until it became associated with the fortress city of Shushi. This was stated today, October 12, by one of the residents of Hadrut participating in a protest action in front of the government building.

“I was born in that village, I built my house brick by brick, and I managed the school for many years. Due to betrayal, we had to leave our village. Hadrut was surrendered; there was hope that Togh was invincible since the Turks and Mongols had attacked that village 28 times and had never succeeded in taking it. The villagers had driven them away. Togh was invincible, but today I am very sorry—it no longer exists. I am surprised by our authorities, as I have never heard the word 'occupied,' that Hadrut is occupied, that Shushi is occupied, it seems that should be the case,” he stated.

When the Hadrut resident was asked where he currently lives, he replied that, like many others, he found shelter in Armenia. “I live in Yerevan, renting.”

“Last time they said they plan to address social issues and provide temporary assistance. They decided to give 25,000 drams per person per month. They said you would cover utilities, pay rent, and solve food and drink issues, and a little more will be left for you,” one of the residents said in an interview with reporters.