Protest erupts in Osmaniye over conflicting demolition orders

Residents gathered in protest outside the AKP Provincial Directorate building in Osmaniye, Turkey, expressing outrage over a demolition order for their homes. The villagers stated they had been informed just 10 days prior that the demolition had been halted, only to receive news today that the decision would be carried out.

"People are on pins and needles," one resident lamented, describing the situation as ruining their holiday. "God have mercy. One person says their child is sick. I bought this with my hard-earned money for my child to get fresh air on the plateau, it's a shame. Do people not fear God?" The resident recounted receiving conflicting messages, first being told the houses would not be demolished, then minutes later being told they would be.

Another villager, who lost their home in the earthquake, declared they would not allow their current dwelling to be demolished. "I have nothing but my life. I will not let them tear down my house there. Our houses are not illegal. They were not built improperly. I went with the supervisor and a craftsman and had my house built. If I can't trust a prominent representative, if I can't trust the state, who can I trust?" The individual expressed deep disillusionment, having previously supported the ruling party and its leaders.

Haluk Yıldırım, a victim from the Olukbaşı plateau, echoed these sentiments, stating that Osmaniye felt abandoned both during the earthquake and now. He recalled pulling bodies and survivors from rubble after the earthquake and housing many displaced people, feeling that Osmaniye received little aid then and now has no support regarding their homes. "We are all nationalists, we are all statists, we are all patriots when the time comes," he said, questioning the current lack of support.

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Canımdan başka bir şeyim yok oradaki evimi yıktırtmam. Cumartesi günü vekil bey bize gidin evlerinizi temizleyin, evleriniz de oturun yıkım yok dedi. Kendimi yakarım. Benim depremde evim gitti. Canımdan başka bişeyim yok. Oradaki evimi yıktırtmam. Evlerimiz kaçak değil. Usulsüz yapılmadı. Yönetim eşliğinde usta ile birlikte ben gittim yaptırdım evimi. Ben koskoca vekile güvenemezsem Devlete güvenemezsem kime güveneceğim. Valisine güvenmeyim, vekile güvenmeyim, belediye başkanına güvenmeyim. Ben kime güveneyim. Koskoca bir liderin memleketindeyim. Ben MHP'de kadın kollarında çalıştım. Zıkkım olsun emeklerime. Cumhurbaşkanım için gittim kapı kapı oy topladım. Yakarım kendimi burada.