mojeNovosti.com
Riot police have fired volleys of tear gas as thousands of protesters are trying to reclaim Taksim after being forced out in fierce clashes with law enforcement. Thick smoke is blanketing the square.
Turkish riot police are driving thousands into narrow side streets, Reuters report citing witnesses, with water cannon vehicles advanced across the square. Struggling to disperse the crowd, riot police water- cannoned a disabled protester who was unable to leave Taksim.
Prior to that, protesters, mocking and calling for police to leave, confronted the forces.
Some of protesters are burning colorful flares and fireworks. Fire could be seen in a few locations across the square with the chaos raging at the cradle of the two-week long anti-government protest.
Chanting slogans and launching fireworks in defiance, tens of thousands eventually fled the square, according to witnesses, to Gezi Park, where tear gas canisters have also been fired. However, shortly after, Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu said Taksim Square has been 'cleansed', riot police and protesters returned to Taksim with more tear gas and water cannon on site.
"We will continue our measures in an unremitting manner, whether day or night, until marginal elements are cleared and the square is open to the people," he said in a televised announcement.
Meanwhile, Mutlu has said police will continue operations in Taksim Square, day and night, until it is cleared, Reuters reported.
Earlier Tuesday, police and protesters clashed over a new barrier inside the square.
Hundreds of police took over Taksim Square, using tear gas and water cannon to oust the few protesters present there in the morning.
The raid allowed the removal of barricades and banners. PM Erdogan praised the troops for removing the ‘rags’ as he's branded the revolutionary symbols.
At least 18 people were injured in Tuesday's violence, medical officials said, reporting numerous broken bones and several head injuries, AFP reports.
Following the crackdown, protesters said they have lost faith in the prospect of dialogue with Erdogan, who hours before said he would meet with protest leaders on Wednesday.
Also on Tuesday some 30 to 70 lawyers protesting against the handling of the protest were reportedly detained in front of a courtroom in Istanbul.
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