Kabul: Protests erupt against govt over security issues

Hundreds of people took over the streets of Kabul on Sunday to protest against the Afghan government for neglecting the security of Ghazni and Uruzgan provinces.

The protestors marched through the night from the western parts of Kabul to the city center, near the presidential palace. They held placards and raised slogans demanding President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah to secure the two central provinces.

"Demonstrators are violating the law as they had not informed police of their planned action ahead of time," Tolo News reported Kabul Police Chief Sayed Mohammad Roshandil as saying.

The demonstrators also requested the National Unity Government (NUG) to clear Khas Uruzgan, Jaghori and Malistan districts in Ghazni and Uruzgan provinces of Taliban and send emergency humanitarian aid to displaced residents, along with extra, permanent troops to the areas and to establish a military corps in the region.

The protest comes after Taliban last week launched group attacks from a few directions in Jaghori district.

Reportedly, despite the government sending reinforcement troops, the security in the central provinces has deteriorated. In the past few days, security forces have suffered a high casualty toll.