Police, groups clash at Nevruz celebrations

DİYARBAKIR - Agence France-Presse

DHA Photo

Groups clashed with police today in Istanbul and the southeastern city of Diyarbakir during Nevruz celebrations.
 
Turkish authorities had rejected a Kurdish demand to mark Nevruz earlier on Sunday instead of Tuesday, the actual day for Nevruz, so it would come on a weekend and would allow larger crowds to gather. 

Police fired tear gas and used water cannons during clashes with the unauthorized groups in Diyarbakır, an AFP correspondent said.

But the crowd of more than 5,000 pressed on despite the police action and assembled at the city center.

Many wore clothes sporting the colors of the outlawed The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) -- green, red and yellow.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.

In Istanbul, groups stoned the policemen when they were prevented to gather at a specific venue, who had set up barricades, Anatolia news agency reported.
 
Police here too used water cannons and tear gas, Anatolia said.