The Number of Injured in the Boladji Clash Reaches 180; Resignation of City Council Members

The head of operations for the Iranian Red Crescent Society announced that the number of injured in the Boladji clash has reached 180, and reports indicate the collective resignation of the members of the Boladji City Council. Shahin Najafi stated on Wednesday (July 30) to the Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, that several of the injured have been transferred to medical centers. Najafi added that 16 rescue teams were stationed at the site of the clash to provide assistance in case of further incidents. During the clashes in Boladji, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, which erupted due to protests against a water transfer project, one person lost their life, at least 50 were arrested, and damage was inflicted on some government facilities. The Mizan news agency reported that the cause of death was due to 'falling from a rooftop,' while Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, the police spokesperson, stated it was due to being hit by 'a pellet bullet.' The Tasnim news agency quoted Montazer al-Mahdi saying that 'the police are seeking to identify and arrest the assailant {of this young man}, and several individuals are currently in police custody.' According to him, police officers did not suffer 'serious injuries' during the clashes. The clashes began when a group of protesters attempted to prevent the implementation of part of the 'Koh-e Sabz' tunnel project, which escalated into violence with police intervention. The 'Koh-e Sabz' tunnel is intended to transfer water from 'Nagan' to the international Chaghakhor wetland and subsequently to Boroujen, and it will also supply part of the water needed for industries in eastern Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and the cities of Gandoman and Boladji. The Mehr news agency also reported that members of the Boladji City Council resigned following the 'problems that arose' regarding the water transfer. The resignation letter stated that they resigned 'in protest against the illogical decision and mismanagement of officials in sending special units to Boladji, which resulted in chaos in the city.' The letter did not detail the actions of the police special units during the clashes, but it seems that, given the number of 180 injured, the severity of the confrontations with the protesters was high. About 24 hours after the clashes, media and environmental activists in Iran have reported more details about the causes of these conflicts. Houman Khakpour, identified by the Mehr news agency as an environmental activist, stated that the clashes occurred when 'project implementers, accompanied by security forces and special units, attempted to take advantage of the nighttime to lay pipes.' Khakpour added that after the public became aware of this issue, 'clashes began between the people and security forces at the site of the pipe-laying, which is 5 kilometers from Boladji, between the wetland and the city, and around 8 AM the clashes spread to the city.' According to this environmental activist, 'the presence and participation of women in the protests led to injuries among women during the clashes, which intensified the atmosphere of the confrontations and caused serious damage to both the people and the police forces.' Reports indicate that the implementation of this project began in 2004, but recent droughts in this province and the current problems for the Chaghakhor wetland have led to protests against the water transfer from this area. Boladji, with a population of about 20,000, is part of the Boroujen County in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, located 25 kilometers from Boroujen and 65 kilometers from Shahrekord, the provincial capital. Iran has faced drought in recent years, and reports indicate that 35 million people in Iranian cities are struggling with water stress.