Can a bullet not pass through the fence? A resident of Nerkhin Hand discusses meeting with Pashinyan

“For two years we have been shouting, saying it, writing applications that the school, drinking water, cemeteries, and agricultural lands are either under their control, under threat, or in the interstitial zone. Nikol Pashinyan comes and asks, 'What about the agricultural lands?'” This was stated by a resident of Nerkhin Hand in an interview with NEWS.am on June 18, reflecting on Pashinyan's visit last week. He noted that the Prime Minister had inquired about the agricultural lands, which surprised the villagers.

“I don’t understand, is he not aware? For two days, this has been spinning in my head—what did he come here to say and left,” he added.

“The villagers first questioned him about security, then about drinking water and roofs of the houses. Our drinking water source is under enemy control, a new water line is being constructed, and they spoke about that work. But we are more concerned about our security; we live in a dangerous area, the roof is not as essential for us as our safety,” the resident expressed, mentioning that Pashinyan told the villagers that demarcation and boundary marking work would be carried out in Nerkhin Hand as it was done in Kiran.
“The fence installed in the Kiran section showed, he said, ‘It will be the same in Nerkhin Hand; no animal will pass, nor the enemy. Can a bullet not pass through the fence? What animal, we don't even have animals in the village.’ He noted that it would be according to the previously drawn borders. However, no specific timelines were given for the demarcation works, only that it is a complicated process,” added the resident of Nerkhin Hand.

“I have no hope for this demarcation at all. I believe land can only be reclaimed through fighting. It is clear to the naked eye that they are digging new trenches; I cannot imagine how they could retreat from our territory,” he concluded.