FIROZ KOAH, Afghanistan, May 10 (NNN-ANI) – At least six people, including two policemen, were killed, and 19 others, including 10 police personnel sustained injuries, as a protest turned violent in Afghanistan’s western Ghor province on Saturday, provincial government spokesman, Aref Arab, said.
Hundreds of residents of the provincial capital, Firoz Koah city, gathered in front of Governor House on Saturday morning, to register their protest over what they described as “unfair humanitarian assistance” by local authorities, and tossed stones at the office of the provincial governor, Arab said.
To disperse the protesters, police opened fire and the protesters responded, causing four civilians and two policemen killed and 19 others including nine civilians and 10 police injured, the official said.
Provincial governor, Abdul Nasir Khazi, confirmed the protest, saying that, the “situation is under control” without providing details.
All Afghan cities, including Ghor’s provincial capital, Firoz Koah, are under quarantine over the past several weeks, as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. However, many poor families have been complaining that, continued quarantine and lock-downs of cities added to their suffering, as they can’t work to earn their living.
To tackle the problem, the government announced aid packages, including distribution of foodstuff, including naan (flat bread) to needy families but some complained, alleging the distribution is unfair.– NNN-ANI
