Protesters demand security on Kandahar-Uruzgan highway

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok) In their second day of protest, the residents of central Uruzgan province have closed Tirinkot, the provincial capital, and demanded improvement of security on Uruzgan-Kandahar highway.

The protesters yesterday blocked the Kandahar-Uruzgan highway. They said insecurity had increased on the highway and passengers were kidnapped and killed on the highway on daily bases.

Earlier, militants have took some passengers from the highway with them and some had been killed while others still missing.

The protesters alleged that besides insecurity caused by the Taliban, security forces in some areas also bothered passengers.

Abdul Manan, one of the protester told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The protest will continue until officials ensure the security of passengers on the highway.”

From the past few month passengers had been kidnapped by the Taliban from the highway or police arrest them without any specific reason.

Deputy Governor Abdul Wahid Patan said the complaints of protesters had been conveyed to the central government and would be also shared with officials in Kandahar.

Kandahar Police Spokesman Matiullah Helal told Pajhwok Afghan News they will investigate the incident and would punish policemen who bothered passengers.

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