Epress.am News from Armenia
RA Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan arrived in Aragatsotn marz (province), where residents of 7 rural communities have been protesting for several hours, demanding an end to the construction of a hydroelectric power plant near their villages.
Gevorgyan asked reporters to clear the way and leave. To reporters' remarks that they are working, Gevorgyan said he has come to meet with the villagers, and if he has anything to say to reporters he will meet with them separately.
Gevorgyan spoke with the residents, who said they are waiting for a definite answer.
One of the residents, in the conversation with Gevorgyan, said that their demonstration is spontaneous, and he, speaking on behalf of everyone, is demanding a halt to the construction of the hydroelectric power plant.
"If you claim that a hydroelectric power plant is not being built here and it is just renovation work, then we villagers will carry out that work on our own," one of the protestors told the deputy PM.
The assembled crowd demanded that Gevorgyan not hold private conversations with them but stand before them all in a visible area so that his remarks can be heard by all.
In a loud voice, Gevorgyan said he can't say anything at this time, as a committee has been established and the outcome of its work will be known in the coming days: "Now I promise that until a final decision has been made, there won't be construction here."
The deputy PM's statement was followed by whistles and shouts from the crowd. The villagers said they are the ones who decide.
"Let him stand above and talk; otherwise, we will block the road. Say yay or nay, nothing else interests us — or leave. He came all this way to speak with [just] two people[?] Stand up somewhere so we can hear you , so people can calm down," shouted one of the angered villagers.