Turkish police ban people from marking one-year anniversary of deadly Ankara bombings that killed 103

Authorities ban large-scale commemorations and use tear gas and water cannon to push people back

Turkish police use tear gas to disperse a crowd attempting to commemorate the first anniversary of the Ankara bombings on Monday (EPA)

Turkish authorities have banned large-scale commemorations marking the one-year anniversary of the twin suicide bombings that targeted peace activists in Ankara, killing 103 people.

Police cited security concerns and have used tear gas and water cannon to push back activists who are trying to reach the main station to pay respects. Roads have been blocked and police reportedly chased people down a main street to prevent them joining a demonstration.

Turkish police use tear gas spray to disperse the crowd during the commemoration of the 1st anniversary of Ankara bombings of 2015 (Getty)

Families of the victims and some representatives of civil society groups have, however, been permitted to lay flowers at the spot of the attack.

Roses have been placed on the floor to mark the first anniversary of the worst attack in Turkey's modern history (Getty)

One year ago 103 people were killed and another 500 injured in the bombing at a peace rally. The demonstration had been organised by a trade union to denounce increased violence between Kurdish rebels and Turkish security forces.

The paucity of media coverage compared with that of terror attacks in Belgium and France received plenty of criticism at the time. Some argued greater levels of shock were placed on the atrocities that occurred in Europe with many citing race as the reason.

Riot police clash with demonstrators to prevent them from holding a protest to mark the first anniversary of the worst attack in Turkey's modern history (Getty)

Since June 2015 there have been 16 major attacks across Turkey and at least 350 people have died in terrorist-related incidents in the country.