Jawzjan residents warn militants to join peace process

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Thousands of residents of northwestern Jawzjan province on Monday voiced their support to Afghan security forces and warned insurgents that locals would form an uprising group to flush out militants from the area.

At least 3,000 people, including women, held a mammoth rally in Shiberghan City, the provincial capital, in support of Afghan security forces.

Some of the women equipped with weapons chanted: “Long live Afghanistan and we want peace.”

Qamar 50, a protester, said that she demanded the Taliban to reconcile with the government or they would face for a decisive fight by the locals.

She said tens of women voluntarily participated in the rally to support Afghan force and stand against those scuttling peace in Afghanistan.

Najibullah, another member of the rally, told Pajhwok Afghan News that their gathering was in support of Afghan forces.

He added that they would join Afghan forces and stand against militants if they did not surrender their weapons to the government.

A number of provincial council members and civil society activists also participated in the rally.

Maulvi Abdul Hai Hayat, head of the provincial council said: “Beefed up security is direly needed throughout the country and we support the government’s initiated peace process for militants to join reconciliation.”

Acting governor Bai Murad Quainli also participated in the rally and said that the gathering was held by publics and did not have any political motive. The people gathered to voice their support to security forces and defend their country, he added.

The gathering comes as the combat mission of ISAF forces ended five days ago on January 01, 2015. Afghan security forces took full responsibility to combat terror and ensure security in the country.

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