ITC Chairman Turan: 260,000 people brought to Kirkuk from outside the city
Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) Chairman Hasan Turan stated that 260,000 people were brought from outside the city and registered in the Kirkuk population registry before the general census in an attempt to alter the city's demographic structure.
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In his statement, Turan noted that they observed a large number of families being brought to Kirkuk from the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah prior to the census.
Hasan Turan said, "Turkmen support the census in Iraq. Kirkuk has undergone demographic changes since 2003. Before the census, 260,000 people were brought from outside the city and registered in the Kirkuk population registry."
Stating that "there are serious attempts to affect the demographics of Kirkuk and undermine the Turkmen identity," ITC Chairman Turan announced that they are demanding the announcement of the Kirkuk census results be postponed until the 1957 population census records are examined.
The nationwide census in Iraq is being conducted electronically by 120,000 personnel over the course of two days, during which a curfew is in effect.