PAN, November 13, 2012

Protestors want district officials involved in abductions, land grab and torture, fired

The protestors gathered in Jar Khoshk area, burning tyres and blocking the busy Baghlan-Kunduz highway for three hours

By Habibur Rahman Sherzai

Nearly 200 people staged a rally in the Baghlan-i-Markazi district of northern Baghlan province on Tuesday against local officials of involvement in abductions, land grab and torture.

The protestors gathered in Jar Khoshk area, burning tyres and blocking the busy Baghlan-Kunduz highway for three hours. They called for the immediate sacking of senior district officials.

(Photo: PAN)

According to the protestors, the district chief, Amir Gul Hussain Khel, police officer Kamin and Mayor Lamar Osmani ignored orders from central government and blocking the posting of new officials.

One of the protestors, Mohammadullah, claimed that Brig. Gen. Sakhi Rustaqi was recently nominated as acting police chief for the town. But the district’s administrative head not only hindered his posting but also insulted him.

Deputy police chief, Col. Syed Zamanuddin Hussaini, confirmed Hussain Khel had disrupted a ceremony for the new police chief’s introduction. He added there was a strong possibility of an armed clash if security officials had not left the district centre.

Another protestor, Mohammad Asim, asked the government to dismiss the district officials with immediate effect. The protestors reopened the highway after an official assured them that their demands would be met.

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