NCRI - Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, lauded the citizens for standing up and demonstrating against the mullahs' suppressive forces in the western city of Poldokhtar and southern city of Dashtistan. She called on youths in other cities in particular those living in the western province of Lorestan and southern province of Bushehr to support their compatriots.

Mrs. Rajavi also called on international human rights organizations to condemn the barbaric suppression of people in those cities. The crackdown has caused injuries to a number of local residents. A number of protesters were arrested by the suppressive forces. She called for necessary measures to be adopted by the international organization to free the detainees. 

On Wednesday, citizens of Poldokhtar took advantage of the internal feuding among the regime's rival factions over the last March sham election results and demonstrated against the government. The State Security Forces (SSF) -- mullahs' suppressive police -- using tear gas and firing into the crowd, clashed with the protesters. The citizens burning used tires and making road blocks combated the SSF units. 
 
In Poldokhtar alone at least eight people were hospitalized with injures inflicted in the clashes with the SSF agents. To stop similar encounters occurring in Shabankareh Township in the southern Bushehr province, the SSF agents used tear gas and fired into the air with live ammunition to disperse the crowd.

Residents of Dashtistan have also been demonstrating in past few days. They blocked the main highway connecting Ahwaz in the southwest to Bushehr in the south. The SSF agents used tear gas to attack the protesters.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
April 19, 2008