3 lives lost as protest turns violent in Jawzjan

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok):  At least three people were killed and six others injured on Monday when a protest turned violent in the Qarqin district of northern Jawzjan province, an official said.

The casualties took place when security forces stopped some people from crossing the Amu River into Turkmenistan to harvest a herbal plant in the neigbouring country.

The enraged people staged a protest and tried to storm police and district headquarters, said Deputy Governor Abdul Rahman Mahmoodi. He told Pajhwok Afghan News militants had penetrated the protestors and they attempted to disarm policemen.

Residents of Qarqin and Kham Ab districts have long been crossing the Amu River into Turkmenistan in search of the herbal plant used in making medicines. The river is an international boundary between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Nisar Ahmad Nisar, Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) director for Jawzjan, said Turkmen border police were not allowing Afghans to enter the country this year. He said the protestors smashed the doors, windows and other parts of the district building and the police headquarters.

Governor Bai Murad Quinli said a committee had been formed and sent to the area to investigate the matter and bring the situation under control.

nh/ma/mud

Visits: 0