Karabakh border villagers pin hopes for solving security problems with elections

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Nagorno-Karabakh has held elections to bodies of local self-government. Residents of the village of Nor Kazanchi in the Martakert District, located a kilometre from Azerbaijani military posts, have expressed hope that after the election of the village head, two main problems – water supply and security – will be solved.

On October 10, elections to local self-governments were held in four communities of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Teimur Arustamyan, the head of the Nor Kazanchi community, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that after the war, all the villagers returned home. He has added that a base of Russian peacemakers was set up in the village. However, submachine gun fire is periodically heard from Azerbaijani positions.

"However, our village also faces a number of social problems that can be solved only under a special state programme. First of all, it is water supply. The water problem was acute in the summer – there was no water in the village at all," Mr Arustamyan has explained.

"The problems of our village can be solved. And if the newly elected leader has authorities' support, then it's possible to solve these problems," the community head has concluded.

Shirkhanum Airapetyan, a widow and a pensioner, has stated that "for me, life after the war has changed a lot in terms of security."

"I am not afraid of social difficulties; I fear for the safety of my children and grandchildren. Azerbaijani checkpoints are located a kilometre from the central highway, which runs next to the village, and 800 meters away from our village. And shots from submachine guns are often heard from there," the woman told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

She has listed the absence of drinking water, poorly maintained roads in the village and the absence of a kindergarten for her grandchildren among major social problems. "In order for young families, and there are many of them in the village, to continue living here, all these problems must be solved," the woman said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 03:48 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.