Iranian government forces have reportedly arrested 50 farmers in the Arab regions of Iran for “protesting against the confiscation of their lands by the National Oil Company of Iran.”
Al-Arabiah quotes human rights activists in the region saying: “After continuous protest by the farmers of Achisheh and Shakerieh villages in Hamidieh and Soosangerd, security forces arrested 50 individuals who are currently in detention.”
Reports indicate that the National Oil Company has confiscated farmer lands after discovering oil fields in the region.
The report also says the National Oil Company has promised to give the farmer’s similar arable land in other areas, but instead security forces arrested the farmers at night, and their whereabouts are currently unknown.
The residents of the two villages have also been told to evacuate the area in exchange for the cash payouts.
Recent unrest in the Arab regions of Iran has led to the arrest of scores of protesters, raising the serious concern of human rights groups both inside and outside Iran.