ISTANBUL - Governor of Istanbul said Wednesday that security measures to be taken on mayday would inevitably have negative effects on transportation and other services in Istanbul.
Governor Guler and Istanbul Police Chief briefed the media on the security measures to be taken on May 1st in Istanbul and warned against the possibility of terrorists attacks and provocations.
"The info at hand and the assessments of security experts suggest that terrorists could sneak into the crowd of demonstrators who come to Taksim square, for unlawful demonstrations and could stage attacks with stones, sticks, molotov cocktails and even guns," said Gov. Guler.
Guler said they had accurate intelligence that suggested PKK terrorists and members of other marginal and illegal organisations would attack the police with provocative aims and they were determined to take pre-emptive action against these.
Guler said representatives of labour unions could lay wreaths to the Republic Monument in Taksim square, but ruled out all other demonstrations in Taksim square.
Under the security measures ferry services from Uskudar and Kadikoy piers to Besiktas, Kabatas and Karakoy will be suspended till afternoon, also said Guler. He said tramway services between Sirkeci and Kabatas, funicular services between Taksim and Kabatas and subway services between Mecidiyekoy and Taksim would also be suspended.
Guler said a total of 66 schools in Beyoglu, Sisli and Kagithane districts that were located near the said routes would suspend education.
Major labour unions like Turkish Confederation of Labor (Turk-Is), the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions (DISK), and the Confederation of Public Sector Unions (KESK) have been demanding to celebrate May 1st Workers` Day at Taksim square. But the government refused to consent to these demands for security reasons and on the grounds that Taksim square was not legally open to demonstrations.
DISK and KESK nevertheless announced they would march over Taksim square on May 1st.
Workers` Day celebrations at the Taksim Square have been banned since 1977, when gunmen opened fire on demonstrators, killing 37 people.
(OZG-ULG)