Creeping occupation renewed in Kareli municipality

Lado Bitchashvili, Shida Kartli

Resident of Takhtisdziri village in Kareli municipality Davit Akhalkatsi had already started spring agricultural works in his plot, when officers of the occupation forces arrived and marked the territory nearby the plots, where they intend to set up new occupation line. The occupants did not allow Davit Akhalkatsi to approach his plot and now he does not know whether he will be able to continue cultivation of his land.

“We ploughed, harrowed the land and planned to sow plants; but the occupants arrived and installed the signs of the so-called border and then left. We are waiting when they will allow us to continue sowing,” Davit Akhalkatsi said.  

Unlike Davit Akhalkatsi, Tamaz Koberidze said that according to the signs installed by the occupants, his plot is now on the occupied territory. 

“They are fencing it and will take the plot away; that means we will be left hungry. I have walnut and fruit trees there; all plots are on the other side of the Prone River. There is no other option – they will seize our land and what shall we eat then? I am 72-years old and hardly keep my family with the harvest from that plot,” Tamaz Koberidze said. 

The village residents were observing the activities of the occupation forces from distance. According to the signs, after the occupation fences or barbed wires are installed, the locals doubt that about 20 hectares of land will be additionally misappropriated by the occupation regime. The locals do not know whose plot will turn up on the occupied territory soon and who will be able to continue spring works on their land but they still hope that occupation process will stop.

The state institutions responded to the illegal borderization process in two villages of Kareli municipality – Dvani and Takhtisdziri on April 17.

“On April 17, the representatives of the Russian occupation forces started illegal borderization nearby Takhtisdziri village of Kareli municipality. Hotline was activated, the EUMM and co-chairs of the Geneva Talks were informed. Similar illegal activities significantly harm the environment on the ground and welfare of the locals,” the statement of the State Security Service reads. 

Now it is important to halt the borderization process and make clear assessment – the state minister stated when commenting on the renewed unlawful borderization by the occupation regime. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said the hotline was activated and all international partners were informed. 

“The occupation regime renewed illegal borderization that is not new fact for us, unfortunately. But, in such a difficult situation, when entire world fights against pandemic, similar activities clearly demonstrate the nature of the occupation regime. We have applied to all available mechanisms, I personally talked with the co-chairs of the Geneva talks; the foreign ministry also communicated with all our partners. The State Security Service has activated hotline; we have informed the EUMM and asked them to intensify patrolling on the ground. Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local authority are there. The goal and aim of all our efforts is to make right assessment of this fact and most important is to halt the process,” Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said. 

Residents of Takhtisdziri village are waiting for the occupant regime representatives with fear. They hope the government will apply all available mechanisms to prevent the occupants to continue borderization and occupation of additional 20 hectares of land.