Iran’s Islamist forces annex peasants’ land

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Sep. 08 – Iran’s para-military Bassij forces in the coastal province of Mazandaran, northern Iran, annexed pastures belonging to farmers and peasants under the pretext of carrying out military drills, locals reported. Iran Focus

Tehran, Iran, Sep. 08 – Iran’s para-military Bassij forces in the coastal province of Mazandaran, northern Iran, annexed pastures belonging to farmers and peasants under the pretext of carrying out military drills, locals reported.

The Bassij are Islamist vigilantes loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and were recently given police powers by Iran’s new hard-line government.

The confiscation of farmers’ lands in Roastam Kolaei region of the town of Qaemshahr started earlier this month and was supposed to last for a further two weeks. Residents, however, complained that they have witnessed land being unearthed, at least 50 electric posts installed, and a 1km water pipe constructed.

Residents questioned the amount of activity being carried for what the Bassij have claimed to be a month long military drill.

In July, people in Larim Joubbar region of Mazandaran staged a three-day protest after government forces took over much of their lands.