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Iranian Protesters Clash With Police Over Water Rights


Farmers in Iran's Isfahan Province protest against the transfer of water from the Zayandehrood River to Yazd Province.
Farmers in Iran's Isfahan Province protest against the transfer of water from the Zayandehrood River to Yazd Province.
ISFAHAN, Iran -- Protesters in the Iranian town of Varzaneh clashed with police this week after more than a month of demonstrations against the government's diversion of water from central Isfahan Province to other regions.

Photos and videos received by RFE/RL from citizen journalists show protesters setting buses ablaze during clashes on February 27-28.

Witnesses used social media to report that dozens were injured in the clashes with authorities and many were arrested.

The reports have not been independently confirmed.

The protesters say that a pipeline is diverting water from the Zayandehrood River and is leaving their area parched.

The protests reportedly first turned violent on February 27 after demonstrators damaged the pipeline.

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