LASHKARGAH (SW): Civil society Organizations (CSO) in the southern Helmand province expressed reservations on Saturday about some influential figures striving to liberate a gang of kidnappers.
Helamnd police nabbed a ten-member gang of kidnappers earlier this week in the province. The gang has been blamed for not only kidnapping for ransom but also being involved in armed robberies and other ciminal acts.
In the provincial capital Lashkargah, a number of CSO activists and provincial council members gathered and expressed their reservations with the press.
Representing Helmand CSOs, Bashir Ahmad Shakiri said on the occasion that some influential figures from within the province and the capital Kabul were striving to liberate the kidnappers from police custody.
“Helmand people are afraid to send their kids to school because of these kidnappers, the government should make sure to award them an exemplary punishment so that no one else can dare to kidnap”, Shakiri said.
Helmand CSOs vowed to take to the streets if justice was not done in this regard.
Qand Aagha Kandahari, provincial anti-terrorism unit head told SW that the police has done their task and now all depends on the judiciary. “We catch criminals and hand them over to the courts but sometimes they get liberated, in this case we too want them (kidnapers) to be punished for their crimes”, he said.
Provincial authorities said the gang also comprised of criminals from neighboring Farah and northern Kunduz provinces.
Umer Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor denied allegations about influential figures influencing the delivery of justice in this case.
ENDS
