PAN, June 28, 2014

Gunmen’s presence worries Parwan residents

“Such armed individuals are being shielded by politicians, who want to realise their objectives.”

By Farid Tanha

The movements of illegal gunmen have increased in the capital of central Parwan province after the second round of presidential elections, locals complained on Saturday.

Fardin Hakimi, who runs a shop in Charikar, said the growing movements of illegal armed men had raised concerns among the people. “Wearing plainclothes and caps, dozens of these gunmen can be seen daily in Charikar.”

“We panic on seeing them on our way home in the evening or work in the morning,” he said, urging the provincial authorities to take concrete action to address their concerns.

Another dweller, Mohammad Yousaf Safar, said: “Unknown gunmen moving across the city have worried the people.” He accused security officials of failing to rein in outlaws.

But the police chief, Brig. Gen. Khalilullah Ziyaee, said: “Such armed individuals are being shielded by politicians, who want to realise their objectives.”

Without giving details, he said: “We have shared the issue with the Ministry of Interior, which will soon send some units of military police to the province to deal with the problem.”

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