Residents of the village of Zikh complain of taking away their lands

A group of residents of the village of  Zikh (outskirts of Baku) held a press conference, claiming a violation of their rights. A citizen Javad Agabalaev said that in the village are   serious unemployment, sewer systems, gas, water and electricity problems. At the same time, the population are forced to pay debts for these services. In addition, 30 hectares of pasture land owned by local residents,  have been fenced by unknown. According to rumors, high-rise residential buildings will be built in these areas. At the same time, various sources indicate either Mehriban Aliyeva, or the Ministers of Transport and Ministry of Emergency Situations.

"We do not know where is the truth and a lie, but the fact that people cannot use their lands," - said Agabalaev. He pointed out that in 2002, the lands were given to people by the order of then-President Heydar Aliyev.

Now the authorities of Surakhani district state that the order is "out of date", and   the settlement of Zikh is an urban village and there can be no pasture. "If Zikh is a township, let them provide us with   urban-type work," said Agabalayev. There are not locals in the municipality, and those who are in power are not aware of the problems of local people, do not think about them, said Agasada Ismailov, another resident of Zikh.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations has given the conclusion on the landslide area, and the need for resettlement. However, the authorities have not determined where they move.

Locals say that the complaint to the government for public services remain unanswered. So they appeal  to the  President Ilham Aliyev  with request to return their 30 hectares of pasture land, and solve other problems. They say they will fight for their rights.-05C-