Public representatives linked to Qaisar unrest

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Residents and local officials have expressed concern over differences between lawmakers and provincial council members, saying the rifts were fuelling insecurity in Qaisar district.

Rows between the supporters of lawmaker Fathullah Qaisari, provincial council member Faqir Mohammad Qaisari and Mohammad Nader Syed recently escalated, they said.

Hundreds of families have been displaced as civilians witness frequent fighting in the restive district. Resident Mohammad Ibrahim told Pajhwok Afghan News Qaisari irked former rebels on Saturday when an ex-militant was detained.

He said hundreds of Taliban exploited the tense situation, stepping up their activities in different areas of Qaisar. As a result, a large number of families have been displaced.

“We have contacted the deputy governor, police chief and some other officials to release the former militant and put an end to the ongoing violence,” the resident added.

An influential individual, whishing not to be named, confirmed that the detention of Mullah Zabihullah had damaged the peace drive and rebels would no longer trust government’s assurances.

For his part, Qaisari accused Zabihullah of involvement in several murder and robbery cases on the Qaisar-Almar highway. He said lawmaker Fathullah was supporting people like Zabihullah and thereby stoking tensions in the town.

Provincial council member Mohammad Nader Syedi also hit out at Fathullah for fanning communal violence. A hundred Afghan Local Police (ALP) members loyal to the MP were forcibly collecting Zakat and Ushr from locals, he claimed.

But the legislator hit back at Qaisari for having links with rebels. He said Mullah Zabihullah had joined the peace process and then served as an ALP member to fight against insurgents. Disarming Zabihullah was an illegal action, he insisted.

“Most of the areas may fall to Taliban with the support of Qaisari if the ALP group stops operating,” Qasari warned

Acting district chief Abdul Jamil Sadiqi said Qaisari was not responsible for performing the government’s job.

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