Professional assocations, trade unions, NGOs and rights organisations - a total of nearly fifty- gathered in Diyarbakir on Friday (4 January). They released a statement concerning the bombing in the Yenisehir district of Diyarbakir on the previous day.The bombing has killed five people, and dozens are injured.

Violence condemned 

The organisations condemned acts of any violence, no matter by whom it is carried out. Further, they pointed out that the perpetrators of a similar bombing on 12 September 2006 in Diyarbakir still had not been found.

“Violence and savagery must never be used as methods to try to solve problems. With the common sense which Diyarbakir people have developed throughout history, they will not surrender to this brutality. May those of our citizens who died in the event rest in peace. We express our condolences to the families and wish the wounded a speedy recovery.”

Meanwhile, Ahmet Birsin of Diyarbakir's local Gün TV station told bianet that nobody had claimed responsibility for the attack yet: "That is why the people are very worried. They were worried because of the operations in the region anyway, but with this event tension has increased."

Birsin added that the insistence of NGOs and political parties on a democratic and peaceful attitude has kept the tension contained.

12 people arrested 

"Chief of General Staff Yasar Büyükanit, Minister of the Interior Besir Atalay and the  regionalJustice and Development Party (AKP) MPs are all here. The police has been given unlimited freedom to search. 12 people have been arrested, but their identities have not been revealed. The electricity which had been cut after the bombing has been restored to the area. The site of the bombing, which was examined until morning was cleaned today."(NZ/TK/AG)