PARUN (SW): Local elders in the eastern Nuristan province gathered on Saturday demanding the government and security forces to help restore peace on the Laghman-Nuristan highway that has irked residents in the both provinces.
It was highlighted that the 45-kilometer stretch of road connecting Mehtarlam City in Laghman with three western districts in Nuristan has become extremely dangerous for commuters. The moot decided to share the issue with elders in neighboring Laghman and if the problem persisted they would march to the capital Kabul.
Addressing the gathering, Ghulam Sakhi, former Wolesi Jirga (lower house) member from Nuristan urged the locals to have unity in their ranks. He also stressed for support for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Nematullah Muslim, the Nurgaram district chief assured the locals that efforts are underway to address the security issue. He noted that the Afghan National Army (ANA)’s Selab Corps was keen to help.
Corps Commander Jawed also attended the gathering and vowed to protect the lives and property of the locals. He added that though the ANSF has brought significant changes on this highway but support from the locals was crucial. Without naming anyone, he charged that some influential figures are fueling the unrest in the area for their personal gains. “Some ‘Jihadi leaders’, tribal elders and mafia members in Laghman seek personal gains in the insecurity”.
As a mountainous province, Nuristan relies heavily on neighboring provinces for goods and services, and the highway connecting it to Laghman is a lifeline for thousands of inhabitants in this part of the country.
ENDS
