Here’s a photo montage of what took place yesterday morning when local officials from the Arabkir District, backed by police and Special Forces, began to dismantle a cluster of street stalls and kiosks from the intersection of Papazyan and Komitas Streets.

Kiosks owners attempt to block Komitas Street but are pushed back by cops

Tempers flare as kiosk owners demand that they be shown permits for dismantling of kiosks.

One woman, a kiosk owner, faints in the melee and is escorted away for medical treatment.

Local police and red beret Special Forces are out in force.

Hrayr Antonyan, the Arabkir Deputy District leader, and Heritage Party MP Stepan Safaryan attempt to negotiate some type of temporary resolution to the stand-off.

General view of the face-off between street vendors and law enforcement.

One of the stalls being lifted from its base on the sidewalk.

Kiosk owner Levon Hakobyan is inside his shop while workers are outside unbolting the foundation. “They say that Armenians are builders. But they are doing just the opposite. They have no papers, no documents. Three years ago I didn’t let my son move overseas. Now I’ll tell them it’s time. Let’s sell what we have and leave this country,” Levon said.