Villagers block Armavir-Yerevan highway protesting against shortage of irrigation water

Panorama, Armenia

Dozens of villagers have blocked Armavir-Yerevan highway near Hovtamej village, protesting against shortage of irrigation water. The farmers complained that crops were damaging and their agricultural lands were turning barren due to acute shortage of the water for the past week.

In the words of the villagers, no representative from the Governor's office have visited them and didn't inform them about the expected shortage. Police officers attempted to unblock the road followed by a scuffle between law enforcement and farmers.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS