PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN): Demanding the immediate arrest of the killers of civilians, protestors reopened the northern Kunduz-Baghlan highway after three hours of closure, an official said.
Hundreds of residents staged the protest against the murder of two civilians by unidentified gunmen, blocking the highway. The protest began at 11am in the Duo Saraka area.
Mohammad Zahir, one of the protestors, told Pajhwok Afghan News the two men — a father and a son — were gunned down on Friday night. “We are protesting because security forces have failed to protect civilians.”
Mohammad Akram, another protestor, alleged the security situation in Baghlan-i-Markazi had deteriorated and people had valid concerns.
He claimed militant activities had increased in the area, where a man was killed by unidentified assailants days ago. The protestors asked the officials to maintain security and arrest the perpetrators.
But the road was reopened at 2pm due to passengers’ problems. Abdul Jalil, a protestor, said: “Since passengers remained stranded on both sides of the road, we reopened the highway.” He warned if the murderers were not brought to justice, they would resume their protests.
Baghlan police spokesman Javed Basharat confirmed the death of two civilians and said police had launched a search for the killers.
He added officials convinced the protestors into reopening the busy road. Passengers repeatedly requested to lift the blockade, as there were other ways of conveying demands to the government.
mds/mud
Visits: 1
GET IN TOUCH
NEWSLETTER
SUGGEST A STORY
PAJHWOK MOBILE APP