Van Shopkeepers Protest Road Closure by Selling Businesses

Shopkeepers in the eastern Turkish province of Van have resorted to placing "for sale" signs on their businesses to protest the continued closure of the Bahçesaray-Çatak highway. The vital route has been inaccessible to traffic for approximately six months, crippling local commerce and daily life.

Merchants describe a dire economic situation, with trade having ground to a near standstill. "We are being subjected to road oppression," stated Ümit Yaşa, a shopkeeper who has operated in the district for many years. "There is no snow on our road, yet it remains closed. We have put our shops up for sale because we cannot buy or sell goods due to the lack of transportation."

Residents and business owners argue that while the road is officially closed due to avalanche risks, the current conditions do not justify such a prolonged shutdown. The disruption has not only impacted trade but also the daily routines of the local population. The shopkeepers are urgently appealing to authorities to reopen the Bahçesaray-Çatak highway as soon as possible.

If a solution is not found promptly, many fear they will be forced to leave their homes and businesses behind. The ongoing closure is seen as a significant impediment to the region's economic vitality, and the community is facing the prospect of potential emigration if the situation persists.

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We are being subjected to road oppression. There is no snow on our road, yet it remains closed. We have put our shops up for sale because we cannot buy or sell goods due to the lack of transportation.