MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 

Bedlîs (Bitlis)- Since the 1990s, Kurdish people have been subjected to displacement and massacre policies. In the 90s, thousands of villages were depopulated and millions of people were forcibly displaced from their villages to cities. The return to villages started in time. Türkan Alayumat is one of the villagers forcibly displaced from Karukan (Sütlü) village of Bitlis’ Tatvan district in 1992.

Her village was burned down

On June 10, 1992, the village of Karukan witnessed a massacre. Unknown persons stopped a minibus going to the village. 13 citizens, including two children were shot to death. Although 30 years have passed, the perpetrators of the massacre have not been identified. After the massacre, the village was burned down by Turkish soldiers, resulting in the forced displacement of the villagers to Istanbul. Some of the villagers returned to their village four years ago. The villagers, who struggle to survive without electricity and roads, cannot stay in the village in winter due to cold weather.

She lives in the tent

Türkan Alayumat told us what had happened after the massacre. “Right after we left the village, the soldiers set fire to our houses and burned the village. We had to go to big cities. We lived in Istanbul for years. When I heard some families had returned to the village, I decided to return. Since I could not build a house, I set up a tent to live in my village. I have spent two summers here. Although living conditions are difficult, I feel better in my village,” she told us.

‘The village is healthier

 Türkan Alayumat told us that life in the village is healthier than life in the city.  Her only dream is to build a house in the village so that she can stay in the village. “I come to the village in the spring and return to the city in the autumn. I miss my village when I do not see it. Although I have to stay in the tent, I feel healthier in my village. I feel refreshed when I come here from the city. If we can build a house and other villagers return, we want to live in the village forever. Since I have no house now, I cannot stay here in winter.”

‘The village has had no electricity for 32 years’

Although the villagers have demanded electricity be provided to the village for years, the village has had no electricity for 32 years. “We are told electricity will be provided this year. Still, we have no electricity so we meet our needs by using solar energy. In addition, the village has no road. When we want to go to the hospital, we have to walk for hours.”