More than dozen of veterans of Georgia’s armed conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are on hunger strike since December 27 to protest against their social hardship and “undignified” attitude, which they say, the authorities are showing towards the veterans.

Camped at the memorial of the Georgian fallen soldiers in Tbilisi center, the veterans complain that they have been left without source of income after being discharged from the armed service and some of them dismissed from other various state structures.

According to the government’s 2007 decree veterans who fought in the armed conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia in early 90s are eligible to monthly GEL 22 (less than USD 12.5) allowance for utility fees. They are also eligible to free travel passes in public transport.

The Defense Ministry spokesperson said the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Protection was in charge of social allowance programs for the veterans and declined to comment on hunger strikers.

Protesters said they would probably remain on hunger strike till the end of this week.