Tension In Samtskhe-Javakheti Increases

PanARMENIAN.Net - Representatives of Tax Service arrived in Akhalkalaki region of Samtskhe-Javakheti region from Tbilisi. By a decision of Service representatives some ten shops were closed. Today some 300 citizens gathered in front of the building of Regional Prefecture to voice protest against the Georgian authorities' decision. In response Akhalkalaki gendarmerie soldiers starting dispersing those gathered, beating them with rubber batons. The gendarmes also fired in the air with submachine-guns. Several peoples suffered from the beating and were taken to hospital. Citizens and residents of neighboring villages are now gathering in the city center. The situation is tense in the city. Javakheti NGO leaders are sure that the mass closure of shops owned by Armenians and the cruel dispersal of the peace rally are an attempt by Georgian authorities to put pressure upon Javakheti after the Javakheti NGO Council urging Georgian authorities on September 24, 2005 to provide status of autonomous federal subject of Georgia to Samtskhe-Javakheti region mostly populated by Armenians. Aggressive actions of Georgian authorities do not leave other choice to Armenian population of the region, but using force to defend their rights, leaders of Javakheti NGOs suppose, reported Javakhk.Info.