TRNC animal producers and breeders association threatens to pull down the walls of the Prime Ministry as protest enters day 2

The president of the TRNC Animal Producers and Breeders Association Mustafa Naimoğulları on Tuesday threatened to pull down the walls of the Prime Ministry if the 6 people arrested on Monday are not released within 15 minutes. 

This is coming as the indefinite protest initiated by the Animal Producers and Breeders Union in Lefkosia on Monday enters its second day.

During the demonstration in front of the Prime Ministry, protesters used construction vehicles to demolish the gate. Six individuals, including the Association’s General Secretary Adil Onalt, were arrested. 

Naimoğulları, warned that if the detainees are not released, the protest will escalate, and they will demolish all walls surrounding the Prime Ministry building.

In a show of support, the Butchers Association and the Restaurateurs Association, despite their previous disagreements with the animal producers over imported meat decided to join the protest.

Naimoğulları called on all unions and the public to join the protest, saying, “We have broken the gates, next is the building. Our friends were arrested; no one can destroy us. We have lit the fire, everyone come here“.

Protesters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Minister of Agriculture Hüseyin Çavuş Kelle.

There were tense moments between protesters and police. The entrance gate of the Prime Ministry was broken, and four people were arrested. Police intervened harshly with the protesters.

Police stated that the activists were arrested for "Assaulting the Police and Dismissing the Police" and have not been released yet.

The action was also supported by the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Union (KTÖS), the Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority Employees' Union (El-Sen), Hür-İş, Butchers' Association and Restaurant Association.

In his speech, Mustafa Naimoğulları, said, "Today, May 21, is World Milk Week... The Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture are celebrating with the milk of livestock farmers in Lapta and Alsancak."

Noting that milk producers work below cost, Naimoğulları said that government officials are deceiving children by giving milk to them instead of listening to the problems of producers.

Arguing that the government is the enemy of the producers, Naimoğulları stated that a bag of feed costs 1000 TL as of yesterday.

Pointing out that costs have increased, Naimoğulları claimed that "judgments" were made.

Naimoğulları said, “We will slowly destroy everything. This is a reaction. Democracy is being murdered. "You cannot arrest people who are struggling," he said.

“The livestock farmer lit this fire. You will take the manufacturer into consideration.” Speaking as follows, Naimoğulları said that they will continue their struggle.