PAN, September 8, 2011

Protestors want district chief sacked

Zalmai Shah, a brother of Wolesi Jirga member Fawzia Kofi

U.S. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke, right, listens to Afghan Parliament Member Fawzia Koofi during a panel, April 28, 2007. Zalmai Shah, is her brother. (Photo: AP)

Hundreds of residents staged a protest against a district chief in northeastern Badakhshan province on Thursday, demanding the official's sacking for misusing his authority.

The protestors accused the Khwahan district head, Zalmai Shah, of beating a civilian named Muhammad Karim without any reason, said Col. Fazil Ahmad Nazari, crime branch chief at the Badakhshan police headquarters.

They also blamed the district administrator's brother, Mujibur Rahman, for shielding the irresponsible armed individuals who assaulted the civilian. Zalmai Shah, a brother of Wolesi Jirga member Fawzia Kofi.

The protestors called for disarming the district chief's brother. Governor Shah Wali Adeeb assured residents of replacing Zalmai Shah.

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