Residents close interstate highway in Armenia
Residents of some 15 communities of Armenia’s Gegharkunik marz have closed Vardenis-Martakert highway as a sign of protest against the government’s plan to consolidate communities. They claim that the planned consolidation will leave the communities empty. They say the government did not ask for their opinion before deciding to realize the plan. The enlargement will cause a number of problems for them. Many will have to travel 40 km to take a document from the municipality or solve other issues. “If the village does not have its administration and headman to understand local problems, it will become deserted over time. Everyone is already talking about leaving the country,” said the protesters. The angered people say they will keep the road closed until the government cancels the decision to consolidate communities. Plainclothes officers assure the group that the government will go halfway to meet their demand if they go to Yerevan to present their concerns there.
