‘Tayyip, resign’: Citizens protest increasing electricity prices in Mardin

* Photos: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Thousands of people protested the price increases in Turkey, especially the increasing electricity prices, in Mardin's Kızıltepe district.

Taking to the streets in Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin yesterday (February 6), the group went to Özgürlük (Freedom) Square with banners and electricity bills in their hands. As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), citizens burned these bills in protest.

They also chanted slogans demanding the resignation of the President and the government and lashed out at the local electricity distribution company DEDAŞ: "Tayyip, resign", "State, resign", "Down with the DEDAŞ". Citizens requested that the price increases be revoked.

Mardin #Kızıltepe'de elektrik zammına karşı DEDAŞ önünde protesto eylemi gerçekleştiren yurttaşlara polis biber gazı ile müdahale etti. pic.twitter.com/BG4eEsczny

— Erhan Akbaş (@akbaserhan) February 6, 2022

Afterwards, protesters wanted to march to the Dicle Electricity (DEDAŞ) building. Prevented by the riot police forces, they marched towards Hastane Avenue. Closing Musa Anter Avenue, Kilise Avenue and Hastane Avenue to traffic, people then walked towards İpek Yolu.

Police officers intervened against the protesters with pepper spray and pressurized water afterwards. Groups dispersed following the police intervention and continued protesting on the side streets.

Several people were detained during the protest.

People also took to the streets against increasing electricity prices in Mazıdağı district. Gathering in Mazıdağı Square, citizens carried banners and chanted slogans in protest against the price increases. Setting electricity bills on fire, they wanted the price hikes to be withdrawn.

According to the data shared by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), the minimum electricity consumption of a four-person household is 230 kWh in Turkey. While this household used to pay a minimum of 210.58 Turkish Lira (TRY) for electricity in December 2021, this amount increased by 76 percent to 370.80 TRY in January 2022. (RT/SD)