Nawzad insecurity may spread to other districts

LASHKARGAH (PAN): Officials and tribal elders warn if the government does not adopt effective measure to establish its writ in the Nawzad district, insecurity could spread to other parts of southern Helmand province.  

Haji Wali Muhammad Khan, a tribal elder from the restive town, told Pajhwok Afghan News nothing had changed despite the fact that the district had been under the control of foreign and Afghan forces over the past four years.

He said residents were ready to extend all-out support to the Afghan forces but the government had totally ignored them, an attitude that must change. 

Muhammad Asif, also hailing from the same area, said the district was haunted by growing insecurity on the one hand and its infrastructure needed to be rehabilitated on the other.

“The road between Nawzad and Lashkargah is in dilapidated condition. The Karez system has been closed and people are faced with an acute water shortage. The district has a small police force, and people are worried about security,” he observed.  

Sayed Murad Sadat, the Nawzad district chief, warned if the government did not take steps to arrest insecurity, the entire town would plunge into turmoil. “Security is not satisfactory as the government controlled only one-fourth of the district.”

He said militants are conducting attacks in parts of the district, adding that government should demonstrate its presence by flushing out Taliban of the area.

Brig. Gen. Muhammad Hakim Angar, the police chief, promised the government would initiate bold steps to remove grievances of residents to ensure tight security. He said more policemen would be deployed to crush anti-social elements.

He admitted there were some flaws but efforts were ongoing to ameliorate the situation. He would employ all possible tactics to maintain order in Nawzad. However, he asked residents to extend support for maintaining security and accelerating the development process in the district.

Helmand Governor Muhammad Naeem acknowledged flaws and loopholes in Nawzad security, saying he had prepared plans to tackle the situation and restore order.

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