The police that could not stand the freedom fire lighted by the Kurdish people at Newroz brutally attacked the masses in many cities of Turkey and Northen Kurdistan. While in Van older women were punched with truncheons and attacks took place in Hakkari and Yuksekova, ten thousands went on the streets on the day after Newroz to protest against these brutal attacks.
In Van, 35-year-old Zeki Erinc was killed on March 22 by the police during the celebrations. The police attacked the mass with tanks and arms and injured dozens of people as well as killed Erinc with a shot in his head. Erinc`s body was taken by thousands of people with slogans from Van Education and Research Hospital and to Sabaniye Cemetery.
In Yuksekova, Hakkari, 20-year-old Ikbal Yasar died on March 23 because of a shot in his heart. 60.000 people came to pay their last respect to Yasar for whom a mourning of three days was announced in the city. Yasar`s body had been kidnapped in the middle of the night before and taken away from his family to bury it without the participation of anyone. However, due to the Kurdish people`s determination and resistance, the body was given back to the family and buried in its presence. Furthermore, Hakkari shopkeepers did not open their shops for three days to protest against the brutal attacks of the police.