People Are Unable to Live, Our Cultivated Lands Have Been Left to the Enemy, Says Former Village Head of Aravus

Residents of the village of Aravus in the Syunik province have received neither wheat nor fuel from the government, said former village head Argam Hovsepyan in an interview with "Factinfo." When he was still the administrative head of the village, he had appealed for free wheat and fuel to be provided to the residents, as their lands remained under enemy control, leading to a deterioration in their social conditions.

“The French foundation has provided 300 kg of wheat to each family. They have not given anything else. When I was the administrative leader, I had said that it was under control. This is no way to live; I do not know how they will manage,” said Argam Hovsepyan.

Due to the absence of grazing areas, people have sold their livestock at low prices. The primary issues for the residents of Aravus are wheat and diesel fuel, but as Argam Hovsepyan notes, people lack almost everything.

One of the villagers moved to Goris with their children just two days ago. Security concerns also remain a pressing issue.

Argam Hovsepyan added that the current village head is from the Tegh village, which he believes is not appropriate: “In this wartime situation, the administrative leader should be from the village, a resident of Aravus, so that he can be present day and night. He should sleep and wake up with our people; appointing an administrative leader from another village is wrong. He is not here on weekends, he might come once or twice a week, show up, and leave,” said Argam Hovsepyan.

When asked whether the Azerbaijani side had recently resorted to provocations, Argam Hovsepyan said that there had been no such incidents. Only on November 16-17 were there gatherings, but nothing has happened since then.