Uruzgan protestors storm RTA office

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Protestors on Monday attacked the state-owned Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) office in central Uruzgan province, bringing down its signboard.

Over the past three days, residents of Tirinkot have been protesting against the governor, accusing him along with a lawmaker and some provincial council members of corruption.

The protestors have erected tents in the provincial capital, where trade activity has been halted since the protest broke out three days ago.

Chanting slogans against Governor Amir Mohammad Akhundzada and the provincial council, the demonstrators alleged government departments were rife with corruption.

A protestor told Pajhwok Afghan News they attacked the RTA office because it refused to air news about their protest and demands.

The protestors warned they would again attack the RTA building and set it alight if it did not broadcast their protest.

RTA official Niamatullah Faryad said the protestors had been attempting to attack their office over the past two days.

He said some protestors visited the RTA office a day earlier and called for their protest to be covered.

Faryad said they covered the protest in line with journalistic norms, but the protestors returned today and tried to enter the building and torch equipment, but police thwarted their bid.

“The protestors use abusive words which cannot be published,” he explained.

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