Sunday June 19, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Hundreds of people staged a protest in Kabul on Friday, demanding greater security after a recent spate of kidnappings that targeted groups of civilians in the country’s northeast. The protestors also asked the government to do its best in releasing those passengers who have taken hostage by the Taliban. The protest was started from the Shahre-Now Park and continued up to Zanbaq square. The demonstrators were chanting ‘Security and Justice’, they planned to march on the presidential palace but were stopped by police, with some small scuffles breaking out and a few protestors injured. The demonstration came after gunmen abducted hundreds of people earlier this month in Kabul-Takhar-Kunduz highway, where they killed many of them and some unknown figure remained in captivity. Highways across the country passing through insurgency-prone areas have become exceedingly dangerous, where the Taliban and other armed insurgents frequently kidnapping or killing the travelers. It was mentioned in resolution of the protestors that the government of national unity has the responsibility to ensure the security of everyone in the country and it should not only condemn the terrorist crimes but to also practically step up in this regard. In another part of the resolution it is said that taking hostage of the citizens was continuing, and if necessary attention is not paid by the government, the people will start to destroy the Taliban places in any spots of the country.
A number of lawmakers were also participated in the protest and were beside other protestors, they said the government’s security strategy needs to be revised, and that is why the people have gathered here today to ask the government ensure their security. We are sure that the government cannot remain indifferent and has to practically step up in the respect, lawmakers added. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the defense ministry, Dawlat Waziri said, ‘operations are ongoing to free the Kunduz hostages and they will soon be released.’ The Afghan security forces are making effort so the hostages don’t sustain casualties during the operations, Waziri further said. Several operations by three security entities’ forces have been conducted so far to identify the hostages keeping spot, Waziri added. Taking hostage is not new in Afghanistan. Last year, a group of armed insurgent had kidnapped few civilians, in which including a nine-year-old girl, seven people had been beheaded—a move which caused the Kabul citizens to stage protests in Kabul and ask the government to ensure the security.