SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Massive Security Forces have been deployed in Erbil, preventing university and institute students to rally for their demands, Esta reporter on Monday said.
Esta reporter said massive security forces have been deployed in the Kurdistan Region capital, Erbil, as the students want to hold a rally.
The forces comprised of (Asayish) and other forces, deployed before the Region’s Ministry of higher education building there.
“The deployment of the forces aims to obstruct the students to hold a rally who demand their rights and monthly stipends,” a representative to the students told the reporter.
According to information Esta has obtained it has been decided to hold the rally elsewhere. The representative stressed they cannot hold the rally since that massive force was deployed nearby the building.
Kurdistan Region university as well as institute students have renewed last year’s protests, calling for further improvement of education conditions, particularly in Sulaimani.
On Saturday, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Bafel Talabani reiterated support for the Kurdistan Region university students as they are protesting. He vowed that his party supports the students.
Talabani’s words came before the students unleash the protests on Sunday.
“You are that innovator generation that our country needs your capabilities and skills, it constructed great hope on your future potential,” Talabani said.
“We considered as our duty to support and continue our efforts to secure your financial entitlements and other studying needs,” Talabani added.
PUK President stressed that he will support all civil activities of the students far from violence or making a negative impact on the people’s livelihoods.
He also called upon students to assist the security forces in protecting their own security as well as our people.
“Together we step toward a brighter future,” Talabani quoted.
It is worth mentioning that last year thousands of university and institute students protested in the Kurdistan Region, calling on the government to resume payment of their monthly stipends which were halted since 2014.
Students were paid 30,000-100,000 Iraqi dinars ($20.5-$68.5) per month.
Ultimately students were able to restore the payment especially after the endeavors were made by President Talabani.
