After violent crackdown by government: Some Iranian demonstrators arm themselves
Several pro-government Iranian news sources claimed today that anti-government demonstrators are preparing themselves for armed confrontations with security and militia forces. Leaders of "Green" reform movement call this an excuse to increase violence against peaceful demonstrators. Iranian Police Chief, Ahmad Radan, however, has confirmed arrest of a person with "incendiary and explosive materials" apparently referring to Molotov cocktails, a home-made fire bomb used in resistance movements such as in Palestine.
There are now numerous messages by young Iranians on facebook pages, including one honoring Mohammad Mokhtari who was killed last Monday in demonstrations, calling for reformists to arm themselves. Others call for destruction of government property by "stealth" sabotaging actions like injecting "crazy instant glue" into locks of various government equipment, vehicles and offices. There is also a report today of attempts by some demonstrators in Tehran to burn gas stations in the Vanak - Mirdamad area.
Separately, in Marivan, in the restive state of Kurdistan, two police officers were assassinated today by anti-government forces. This could be a reprisal for Saneh Jaleh, a young university student from Kurdistan, who was shot to death during February 14th anti-government rally in Tehran.