Village headman attacked with sticks in Tokat

Osman Çiçek, the 77-year-old headman of the village of Umurca in the Reşadiye district of Tokat, who has served in the position for 47 years, was allegedly attacked with sticks by Bekir Ş. while working on a tractor during drinking water network construction efforts in the village.

Çiçek, who suffered a head injury and a broken arm as a result of the attack, was first treated in Reşadiye and subsequently transferred to Tokat State Hospital. Following a complaint filed by Osman Çiçek, Bekir Ş., who is alleged to have carried out the attack, was taken into custody to provide a statement. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"HE LEFT ME IN A MISERABLE STATE"

Stating that services provided to the village for the past 47 years have been carried out through the collective participation of villagers, Umurca Village headman Osman Çiçek said, "I have been the village headman since 1977. The people have always elected me and loved me. For years, state support has been provided through this collective method.

We assist the state. We cooperate with the state. However, there is a tradition in our village. Those who do not participate in the work contribute money toward the village's other tasks. Currently, there is a drinking water issue. The state provided 3 kilometers of pipes and an excavator.

Based on a decision made by our 7-person committee, we request money from those who do not participate in the work. While I was collecting the money in the evening, when I arrived at that neighborhood, someone attacked me. He attacked me while I was on the tractor. I fell off the tractor. After I fell, he hit me on the head again. He left me in a miserable state," he said.