Monitoring Desk
KUNDUZ/GHAZNI: Protesters blocked the busy Kunduz-Kabul highway in northern Kunduz province on Saturday, when separately the Taliban closed the Ghazni-Paktika road against traffic.
The protestors blocked the key road in Seh Darak area of Kunduz City, the capital of Kunduz province, on Saturday afternoon, alleging some government officials had grabbed their 11.5 acres of farm land.
One of the protesting farmers, Habib Rahman, told Pajhwok Afghan News some government officials in connivance with a number of individuals had encroached upon their 23 jirb of land. “We demand of the government to give us back our land.”
Another protestor, Ahmad Rahim, said they had many times approached the police headquarters, the governor’s house and the justice department, seeking their help to retrieve their land, but none heard their voice.
“If the land is not returned to us, we will continue our protest and will keep the road blocked against traffic,” vowed Rahim.
However, the spokesman for the Kunduz governor, Nimatullah Taimuri, reiterated the land in question had been granted to the government by the court.
He explained the people of She Darak and the government had been in dispute over the land’s ownership and the case went to the court which decided in government’s favor.
Taimuri said dismissed claim of the residents as baseless, saying security forces had been sent to the area to clear the road for traffic.
Separately, in southern Ghazni province the Taliban closed the Ghazni-Paktika highway against traffic in Andar district on Saturday.
The governor’s spokesman, Mohammad Arif Noori, told Pajhwok that an operation had been launched to reopen the road. He said a clash was ongoing between security forces and the insurgents.
A passenger on the route, Noorullah, told Pajhwok that the road remained closed since last night. “A large number of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the blockade area, we urge the Taliban and the government not to create problems for people in pursuit of their political goals.”
The Taliban also confirmed the highway closure, with their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying clashes were underway between the fighters and government forces in Sultan Bagh and Badwa’n areas of Andar district on the highway.
