Schools attacked over boycott says Turkish governor

ANKARA

Seven village schools in eastern Turkey have been attacked for not heeding a call for an “education boycott” by the PKK, a local politician has said.

Speaking late on Wednesday, Mus provincial governor Seddar Yavuz said schools in Bulanik district suffer reprisals for staying open.

Millions of schoolchildren in Turkey went back to school this week. However, the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party and other had called for a protest boycott.

A source from the provincial educational authority in Mus said that all the attacks were carried out Wednesday evening. Windows and gates of the schools were damaged.

Primary and middle schools at Elmakaya, Gunyurdu, Neseici, Unluler, Karaburun, Karaagil and Kurganli were listed as having been hit.

“The terrorist organization [PKK] and its followers targeted our schools unfortunately. They turned towards education and training establishments when their call for a boycott was not responded [to],” Yavus said.

Founded in 1978, the PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and the U.S.