Turkey could deploy army to curb protests

Turkey's deputy prime minister Monday said the armed forces could be called up if needed to help quell popular protests

Turkey’s deputy prime minister Monday said the armed forces could be called up if needed to help quell popular protests that have swept Turkish cities in the last two weeks,the first time the possibility of a military role has been raised.

Bulent Arinc made the remarks in Ankara,where 1,000 striking trade union workers faced off briefly against police backed by several water cannon,before police retreated and the crowd left.

In Istanbul,several hundred union members also marched in sympathy with anti-government demonstrations. They were prevented from entering Taksim Square but after workers had moved off,some of them throwing stones from slingshots,fought with police.

Our police,our security forces are doing their jobs. If its not enough,then the gendarmes will do their jobs. If thats not enough … we could even use elements of the Turkish Armed Forces, Arinc told Turkeys state-run TRT TV.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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