KABUL (SW) – The Interior Ministry on Monday confirmed protesters in Behsud district of Maidan Wardag province were unarmed when police opened fire on them last Friday.
The MoI said that based on its assessments and the findings of the fact-finding mission, those who took part in the demonstration in Behsud were unarmed. The ministry said that 11 civilians were killed and 31 others were injured in during the protests, which turned violent.
Earlier, the Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian had said that clashes had broken out between armed men associated to Ali Pur and security forces in Behsud, resulting in the deaths of nine people.
The interior ministry on Monday also announced referring the case of provincial police chief for further investigation to the Attorney General’s Office. According to the ministry’s statement, the injured in the Behsud incident will be treated at the 300-bed police hospital.
The Ministry of Interior said that the military and civilian offices in Behsud will soon be activated and will provide services.
Also on Monday, Wolesi Jirga (lower house) member from the province, Mehdi Rasikh told the house the government was trying to politicize the issue. He said at least 42 civilians were wounded and killed during the clashes.
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