JAWZJAN (SW): A number of residents of Jawzjan expressed concern over the spread of gambling in the province and said that under aged children are pushed to participate in gambling in Jungle Bagh area of Shiberghan in Jawzjan province.
Jalal and Mohammad, two of the residents of Shiberghan told Salam Watandar that police instead of preventing the gambling, receive bribe money of AFN 50 to 10 thousand AFN from the gamblers and do not bother them afterwards. Therefore, the police provide a ground for the exploitation of children in the province because the children who do not have money will be sexually abused in exchange for money.
A boy who said he is 12 years old only, and refused to reveal his identity, was one of the gamblers in the city. He said that he can bring money to pay for his family’s expenses by gambling.
Abul Hafiz Khashi, Police Chief of Jawzjan rejected the claims that the police are receiving bribe money from the gamblers, and said that the police are responsible for the security of Jungle Bagh area and should not allow gambling in the area as well.
However, the police soldier who is in-charge of this area told Salam Watandar that the police don’t allow the gambling in this area, however, some powerful and influential people pressure police to not interfere in their business.
Yet, a number of human rights activists in Jawzjan said they are concerned about the spread of gambling and involvement of children, and if the situation persists, the future is dark for the children in this province.
ENDS
