HERAT CITY (SW) – Hundreds of Herat residents on Saturday took to the streets against the killing of a religious scholar in the city.
Shaikh Mohammad Jafat Tawakali, a renowned religious scholar of the Shiite sect, was killed by unknown assailants in the city on Friday evening. The protesters today staged a demonstration in front of the provincial administration headquarters charging the security officials for failing to protect the public, especially religious figures.
Mehdi Hadid and Sakina Hussaini, two such protester, said on the occasion the government is escaping its responsibilities by blaming others for its failures. The protesters have vowed to continue with agitation until the culprits behind the assassination of Tawakali are not arrested.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani dubbed the killing of the religious scholar as unforgiveable crime, and urged concerning authorities to vigorously pursue this case.
A number of MPs joined the protesters in Herat, and urged the government not to escape from its responsibilities, or persistence of the situation would result in negative consequences.
Present on the occasion, Mohammad Asif Rahimi, governor of Herat, assured the protesters the culprits would soon be captured and brought to justice. He requested the locals to help the security forces capture the perpetrators.
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