Berdzor Residents Want to Burn Their Houses

Residents of Berdzor have not yet evacuated, as they have until August 25 to decide where to move. They are broken, sad, and outraged; it was only natural that it would be this way. Berdzor community head Narek Aleksanyan informed 24News about this.

According to him, they were finally informed about the need to vacate the area by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Development of Artsakh, Hayk Khanumyan, yesterday.

When asked about residents complaining that Hayk Khanumyan prohibited burning their houses after leaving, Narek Aleksanyan replied that no such prohibition existed. Instead, tensions flared during the meeting, with everyone expressing that they would burn and destroy their homes. A question was raised by Khanumyan regarding why they were behaving this way, to which the residents responded, saying they were losing hope of returning to their land.

Narek Aleksanyan informed the media that at this time, historical monuments, khachkars (cross-stones), and sculptures are being dismantled and moved to a safe location, as we have witnessed acts of vandalism in Shushi and Hadrut following the war. The dismantling is taking place to ensure that we do not witness the desecration of the memorials and statues placed along the road.

The media inquired of Narek Aleksanyan whether the Government had provided any clarification as to why the new road was still not constructed. Aleksanyan noted that such discussions would change nothing; what is more concerning is how to vacate the area in a short period. “It is more important to ensure that the residents do not suffer. There is a partially renovated road that will connect through the old Shen and the Great Shen area of Shushi district, going through Kornidzor to Tekh village.”

When asked if there are any chances of keeping Berdzor, the community head noted that there is currently no such opportunity.