06.05.2025 16:56
Due to the landslide and flood risk in Kayaören village, located in the Koyulhisar district of Sivas, it has been decided to relocate the village. The villagers reacted because the land chosen for the new settlement is also an area that has previously experienced flooding and carries a risk of landslides. The villagers want the village to either remain in its current location or be moved to a more suitable place.
The area where the 54-house Kayaören village, located in the Koyulhisar district of Sivas, is situated has been evaluated by the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) as a settlement at risk of landslides.
DECISION MADE TO RELOCATE THE VILLAGE For this reason, it was decided to relocate the village to another area. Initially, it was planned to move the village to the Topçulu area of Yukarıkale village. However, it was canceled due to discussions about the proximity to the other village and potential problems between the two villages.
CONSTRUCTION SITE ESTABLISHED, WORKS HAVE STARTED This time, a field belonging to the Şahin brothers, located on parcel number 172 in the Eyekkıran area, was designated as the settlement area. After the completion of expropriation procedures, a construction site was established, and work began in accordance with the prepared settlement plan.
COMPLAINT ABOUT "FLOOD IN THE SELECTED AREA" However, a division arose among the villagers regarding the new location planned for the village's relocation. Some villagers stated that there had been floods in the selected area before and that it posed a landslide risk, demanding a change of location or that the village remain in its old place.
THEY WANT THE DECISION TO BE CHANGED Those who have fields in the selected area for the new settlement stated that they were not consulted and that their agricultural land was taken from them, demanding that the decision be changed. The issue of the village's relocation has become unresolved in CİMER.
"THE OLD LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE IS MORE SOLID" Villager Sedat Kaya stated, "The decision to relocate our village was made due to the risk of landslides and floods. The relocation site was decided to be the Koyulhisar Yukarıkale Topçulu neighborhood. However, the villagers did not agree to this, and they did not want to move to this area for fear of conflicts with other villagers. Later, it was decided that our village would be relocated to the currently planned site. No ground survey has been conducted for this land. Machines entered here without a permit. Additionally, this is the villagers' agricultural land. There is also a risk of flood and landslide. We want our village to be relocated to a better place. This area is approximately 60 decares. 22 decares of this land have been expropriated. We want our village to be relocated to a better place. We have also submitted our petition to CİMER. Currently, the work has been halted. If necessary, we want our village to remain in its current location. The old location of our village is more solid. There is only a road issue; if that is resolved, it would be better," he said.
"EXPROPRIATED WITHOUT ASKING US" Sırrı Şahin (80), who stated that the field he shares with his brothers in the Eyekkıran area was expropriated and declared a new settlement area without consulting them, said, "This land has been cultivated since 1945. Is there any meaning in expropriating my land without asking me? What should I do? Isn't it a shame? I have 26-27 people in my household. No permission was obtained. They offered me 93 thousand lira. If I divide this among 5 brothers, it amounts to 18 thousand lira each. Isn't that a sin for me? How is a permit given here, and buildings constructed? I have put effort into this land. There is no ground here; it slides down. I want to cultivate this land so that I can benefit from it. I want my field back," he said.
"NO CONSTRUCTION ON MY FIELD" Arslan Şahin, one of the field owners, also stated, "I do not agree to this. I do not allow construction on my field. They are carrying out construction work without a permit. I want the construction site to be removed and my field to be restored to its previous state where agriculture can be done."