Turkish Police clash with May Day protesters trying to access Taksim square

Police in Turkey on Sunday used water canons to disperse dozens of protesters in Istanbul.

The protesters were trying to gain access to the Taksim square where May Day celebrations have been banned.

Rallies at the Taksim square were banned following the death of 37 people when a gunman opened fire at the square.

TURKEY – Anti-riot police detain a protestor during clashes at a May Day rally in Istanbul. By Kilicbil #AFP pic.twitter.com/zyT2rt41tV

— AFP Photo Department (AFPphoto) May 1, 2016

Authorities had however agreed with some unions to mark the day at a designated area in the Bakirkoy district, near the airport .

There were however scuffles between pro-Kurdish demonstrators and the police at a check-point which left one person injured.

Kurdish separatists and leftists in Turkey have often clashed with the police at demonstrations.

Previous May day protests in the country have ended violently.

The ruling AK Party government allowed the square to be reopened for May Day rallies for the first time in 2010, however the authorities have reissued bans since then, leading to anti-government protesters fighting with police as they tried to breach barricades around the huge square.

Reuters