KABUL (SW): The Kabul residents have expressed concerns over arming of civilians for the security of Ashura processions fearing it would undermine the law and order in the capital city.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, a number of Kabul residents said they do not feel safe in any part of the city describing it like a ‘military castle’. Elyas, one such resident, said people are always gripped by fears of yet another tragedy in the city. Reza, another Kabul resident, said the arming of civilians for the security of Ashura processions has given an opportunity to those who had arms with them to now use them for personal gains in the pretext of security.
Security analysts are equally concerned over this move of the government. Analyst Atiqullah Amarkhel said in this regard that the government should have utilized the regular and trained security forces for this purpose instead of arming the civilians. He charged that the government has escaped its due responsibility of ensuring security of the citizens by arming the Shia community members for their own security. Amarkhel pronounced this move by the government as an illegal one.
Meanwhile, Najib Danish, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has said the government has taken all necessary measures to ensure security on the occasion of Ashura in the country.
After a deadly attack on Imam-e-Zaman mosque in Kabul earlier this month, the religious scholars of Shia community demanded the government to provide arms to the local community for the safety of mosques and processions.
ENDS
