Turkish police used water cannons to disrupt Kurdish demonstrations in the southeastern part of the country.<br/> <br />Powerful gusts of water sent many Kurds fleeing as police enforced a ban on early Newroz or Persian new year celebrations.<br/> <br />Kurds responded by setting off firecrackers and hurling stones and Molotov cocktails at police patrols.<br/> <br />Over the weekend, one local politician died in the protests in Diyarbakir and Istanbul , a sign of rising tension ahead of the New Year which starts on Wednesday.<br/> <br />Newroz is celebrated throughout the Middle East.<br/> <br />Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
