KABUL – Tens of Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Kabul city on Wednesday - carrying the bodies of seven civilians - in protest over the beheading of the kidnapped victims by alleged Daesh insurgents in Zabul province calling on President Ashraf Ghani to take serious action against barbaric act by terrorists.
The victims were kidnapped last month and beheaded by alleged Daesh militants a few days ago and the bodies of the victims were returned to their families on Tuesday.
Despite the cold weather and rain, men, women and children, joined the demonstration which started from Dasht-e-Barchi carrying placards and banners, have not only called for action by government to ensure the safety of civilians but have also demanded equal rights for all.
Hundreds of marshals controlled the ever-growing crowd as they marched about eight kilometers while carrying coffins of the victims.
Angry demonstrators accused government of having neglected the victims after they were kidnapped. They warned they will not remain calm on what they said was a barbaric act. At least eight people have reportedly been injured after security forces opened fire near the Presidential Palace after demonstrators allegedly tried to breach the gates. However, the action did little to deter thousands more that are still protesting in the vicinity of the palace.
In the run up to the shooting incident, a number of demonstrators could be seen throwing stones – which was in marked contrast to an otherwise peaceful event.
Issuing a declaration, demonstrators called on government as well as the United Nations to ensure justice is served against those behind the beheading of the Zabul incident and that they ensure the safety of every Afghan.
Shortly after reading out their demands, a group of representatives from the organizers of the protest entered the Presidential Palace where they reportedly met with government officials over their demands.
Sources from inside the palace have meanwhile assured the demonstrators that President Ashraf Ghani will address them shortly.
The declaration included the following demands:
1. Launching proper clearance operations in order to arrest the abductors and killers of the Zabul passengers and to ensure punishing is meted out in accordance with the law.
2. Establish an active and equipped unit within the Afghan National Army to ensure security in areas where Hazara people live and to establish four units in four zones including Bamiyan, Daikundi, Jaghori in Ghazni and in the greater Ghazni province.
3. The formation of an independent administrative office for Jaghori and Ghazni province.
4. Increase the number of police force members in all insecure areas where Taliban militants are active.
5. In order to respect the martyrs of Zabul, a hill should be named after them and the seven beheaded hostages should be laid to rest there.
Demonstrators said that they want justice for all Afghans killed by militants – whether in Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Helmand or Kunduz.
They warned they would continue their protest until their demands are fulfilled. A number of analysts said the demonstration was possibly the biggest that Kabul has seen in the past 15 years.
The peaceful demonstrators also stressed the need for unity among all ethnic groups of Afghanistan and urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice. (Daily Outlook/Tolonews)