Jalalabad rally condemns attack on TV station

JALALABAD (PAN by supporters of Ahmad Shah Massoud.

Massoud followers allegedly pelted stones and fired gunshots at the TV station building in Kabul.

Mirwais Stanikzai, who is responsible for political shows at the Zhwandoon TV channel, said the incident came days after the station’s guards had a clash with a group of youth claiming to be Masoud’s followers on August 19, when Afghanistan celebrated its 94th independence anniversary.

The individuals wanted to forcibly replace Massoud’s portraits with those of King Ghazi Amanullah Khan displayed at the station’s gate.

To condemn the action, dozens of people, mostly youth, staged a demonstration in Jalalabad, the provincial capital. They asked the government to arrest those responsible for the incident.

One of the rally organisers, Tooryalai, told Pajhwok Afghan News such illegal actions were intolerable and the government was responsible to protect media outlets and private properties.

Izharullah, a protestor, said some circles of the former northern alliance were against the freedom of press.

“The attack on the TV channel was aimed to suppress the freedom of speech. Anyone who commits such crimes should be brought to justice,” he demanded.

The Afghan Independent Journalists Association (AIJA) also condemned the attack.

Lal Pacha Azmoon, a senior journalist and AIJA head, said he would condemn every action in violation of the freedom of expression.

“Insulting our national heroes such as Ghazi Amanullah Khan, Mirwais Hotak and Ahmad Shah Baba is intolerable. The government should take action against the perpetrators,” he said.

mds/ma

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