KABUL - The Wolesi Jirga -- or lower house of parliament -- on Wednesday tasked the protection and complaint commission with investigating an armed clash between two MPs.
A day earlier, three people were injured when gunmen of one lawmaker opened fire at the residence of another MP in Kabul.
Rahima Jame, representing western Herat province in the lower house, said that 25 armed supporters of her colleague Akbar Stanikzai attacked her residence on Tuesday evening.
She added her guards fought back the gunmen and the clash lasted an hour. With her eyes welling up, she remarked: “When I am not safe, so how ordinary people would be protected.
“If I have committed a crime, I should be dragged to the court, not attacked by another lawmaker,” the parliamentarian argued.
She demanded an investigation into the incident, claiming three of her bodyguards and another lawmaker, Amir Khanyar whose house is adjacent to her residence, was injured.
Six of the attackers were arrested by police while others managed to escape, Jame added. She alleged Stanikzai wanted to kidnap or kill her.
However, Stanikzai rejected the claims. “Jame’s son borrowed $20,000 from my uncle two years back. I personally discussed the issue several times with her. The clash took place when guards of Jame beat my uncle and opened fire on him.”
Another lawmaker, Gen. Nazifa Zaki, said an MP had no right to attack the residence of another. She also called for an investigation into the incident.
Sayed Ali Kazemi, a public representative from Kabul, said: “The attack has fuelled concerns among people. When a lawmaker violates the law, we should not blame others. This attack should be taken seriously.”
Second Deputy Speaker Niamatullah Ghafarit asked the protection and complaint commission to probe the issue and share its report with the Wolesi Jirga in a week. Security officials also said that the incident was under investigation. (Pajhwok)