Violence as Najib’s commemoration event canceled

KABUL (Pajhwok): Former President Dr. Najibullah’s supporters were not allowed entry into the Loy Jirga hall on Saturday to commemorate his death anniversary after a commission tasked to organize the event announced cancelation of the event.

Najibullah’s supporters who gathered in front of the Loya Jirga hall demanded permission to enter when some of their opponents attacked them with stones and tried to beat them with sticks.

Ahead of the event, some jihadi and political leaders in a joint statement asked the government to stop the commemorating gathering of Dr. Najib’s killing in the Loya Jirga hall.

A commission tasked with organizing the event also confirmed cancelation of the event in the last hour, but Najib’s supporters arrived in front of the hall this morning and demanded permission to enter the hall.

Violence, including firing into the aire, erupted after some people in the area tried to pelt stones and beat Najib’s supports with sticks.

The situation remained tense for hours after the main gate to the hall was opened for Najib’s supporters but they were not allowed to enter the main hall.

Former President Najibullah was a pro-communist activist in his youth and later he became head of the then Afghan intelligence agency known as Khad which was under the direct influence of the former Soviet Union.

Najib is accused of killing many innocent Afghans and his political rivals during his term as Khad Chief. He was the last leader of communist era in Afghanistan and was killed by the Taliban when the group succeeded to reach Kabul.

nh/ma

د