Paktika jail inmates on hunger strike

KHOST CITY (PAN): An unknown number of prisoners at the central jail in southeastern Paktika province have been on a hunger strike since Saturday against what they called delaying tactics in disposal of their cases.

One of the striking inmates phoned Pajhwok Afghan News to say their protest was against the “unruly behaviour of jail staff and delays in the proceedings of their cases”.  

Without giving his name, the prisoner accused the jail superintendent of keeping inmates with their hands and ankles cuffed tight. He warned of continuing the strike as long as their demands were not met.

Provincial Council Secretary Abdul Ghani Paktin said some council members, who visited the jail, had talked to inmates in to convince them into calling off their strike. However, he added the negotiations failed as the prisoners did not accept their request.

But police chief, Brig. Gen. Daulat Khan Zadran, said the inmates had ended their strike.

nz/ma/mud

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