Security up in Kabul for Nawroz festival

KABUL celebrations, police in Kabul said on Thursday tight security measures had been put in place to mark the Nawroz festival.

The new solar year starts on March 21 and the Afghans are all set to celebrate the arrival of 1393 tomorrow (Friday). The festival is widely celebrated in Afghanistan, particularly in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Besides Iran, Nawroz is also celebrated in many other parts of the world, including central and south Asia, Caucasus, northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in the Balkans.

Kabul crime branch chief Col. Syed Gul Agha Hashimi told a news conference in Kabul the Afghan National Police (ANP) and other forces were fully poised to maintain security for the festival.

However, he said people’s cooperation in maintaining security was crucial because police alone could not carry out the job.

Another police official, who did not want to be named, said a security blanket had been thrown around areas where the festival would be celebrated.

Kabul residents say they are hopeful the celebrations would pass off peacefully. Mohammad Ajmal, a resident of Kart-i-Seh area, was satisfied with security measures and urged people to cooperate with security forces.

“But we want security forces to be attentive and alert to any disruptive attempts during the celebrations.”

President Hamid Karzai has celebrated the last three festivals with his Tajik, Iranian and Turkmen counterparts.

The upcoming festival is planned to be celebrated in Paghman district, where leaders from neighbouring countries are expected to join.

mds/ma

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