Police in a southern Iranian town used pepper spray to disperse a protest on Sunday against the seizure of lands by administrators of a major shrine, in the latest demonstration to be quelled by force.
Eyewitness videos obtained by Iran International show protesters being confronted by government forces, who used the pepper spray to disperse the crowd.
The dispute centers around claims by the administrators of the Shah Cheragh shrine that large portions of Meymand are part of a religious endowment, or "waqf," dating back to historical documents they allege validate their ownership.
However, the people of Meymand have strongly rejected the claims, insisting that the documents are fraudulent and that their land rights have been wrongfully taken.
Meymand, located about 70 miles from Shiraz, is home to over 10,000 people, many of whom rely on the manufacture and sale of rose water, a product sold across Iran.
The local community has expressed growing frustration over the years, accusing shrine administrators of obstructing the delivery of public services to the city.
Abbas Sharifi, a spokesperson for the Firuzabad County Council, explained, "Over the past decade, the administrators of the Shah Cheragh shrine have prevented local authorities from providing services to the people of Meymand through various correspondences with government departments."
The clash highlights broader tensions between local communities and religious authorities over land rights, with residents of Meymand feeling that their livelihoods and autonomy are being threatened.
