Activists seek probe into Jalalabad clash

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Civil society activists on Sunday asked the government to investigate a clash between supporters of rival presidential candidates in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province.

On Saturday, at least three people suffered bullet wounds and landed in hospital after bodyguards of former jihadi leader Eng. Ghafar opened fire at supporters of presidential candidate Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

Ghafar, a Wolesi Jirga member, has been campaigning for presidential hopeful Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. He has denied gunfire during the clash and blamed the injuries on rock-throwing by Ghani supporters. “No one was shot,” he insisted.

Nangarhar Police Chief Brig. Gen. Fazal Ahmad Sherzad said the incident was being investigated.

Flanked by a number of civil society activists, “Positive Change Society” group leader Abdul Basir Sabawoon told reporters they demanded investigation into the harassment of civilians on the election day in Nangarhar.

He said powerful figures had violated democratic norms and values by forcing people into voting for a certain candidate.

Sabwoon asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to investigate cases of law violations and punish those responsible. He said their society would not stay silent whenever inhuman acts were committed by powerful individuals.

nh/ma

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