FAIZABAD (SW) – A protest demonstration by Badakhshan residents in the provincial capital Faizabad turned deadly violent.
A number of Badakhshan residents on Tuesday took to the street against lack of water supply, insecurity and delay in inauguration of the Shorabak Dam, but when the protesters wanted to go to the gates of the governor’s office, the police prevent them resulting in violence.
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The government officials and protesters have accused each other of inciting violence. At least three protesters were killed and 30 others were injured when security forces opened fire on them, said the protesters.
According to them, when they took the bodies of those killed to the Badakhshan governor’s office to demand justice, it caused a stir. A source at the Badakhshan provincial hospital also said that two dead bodies and 30 injured people had been brought from the protest site.
Some protesters say government forces opened fire on protesters on the orders of the Badakhshan governor.
“Our demands for justice have been peaceful because we do not have access to water and electricity and insecurity has increased and we face threats every day,” one protester said.
“Irresponsible militants have disrupted normal life in the capital and Baharak district. We were demanding justice. As we approached the governor’s office, we were shot by the governor’s bodyguards and the protest turned violent. Three people were killed and 30 were injured”, he added.
However, a spokesman for Badakhshan’s governor, Naik Mohammad Nazari, said the protesters stormed the governor’s office without setting up their demands and set fire to police checkpoints. Nazari said thousands of private cabins and other property got burnt. He added that the protesters also attacked security forces, injuring several policemen.
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