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Tension Raises in Turkey’s Taksim, Police Clash with Protesters

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The Turkish police fired water cannon and teargas at a group of demonstrators, an in response, groups responded with stones, fireworks and petrol bombs, Cihan news reported.

The protests began late in May as a sit-in over plans to redevelop Gezi Park in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, but escalated after police used tear gas.

In Ankara, protesters tried to march on the parliament.

Turkish police fired tear gas and water cannon to prevent hundreds of protesters reaching the central Taksim Square, scene of violent protests in which hundreds were wounded.

Anti-government demonstrators wearing handkerchiefs and surgical masks chanted “unite against fascism” and “government resign” as they tried to walk down the street to Taksim, a witness said.

It later spread to 67 cities across the country and turned into clashes between protesters and the police, which have left three people dead, over 4,000 injured and thousands detained.

The protesters vowed to go ahead with their “struggle” until their demands are met by the government through tangible steps.

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