Motorbike riding ban irks Ghazni residents

GHAZNI CITY (PAN):  A local police warning that motorbike riders in rural areas would be shot  has irked residents of southern Ghazani province, but the police chief denies issuing such an order.

The week-long restriction had created several problems for the people who felt unsafe, Akbar Khan, a community leader in Maqur district of the province, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

“Police have told the people that they will shoot them if they don’t abide by the ban,” he added.

Qarabagh and Andar district residents raised similar  complaints of police threats to motorbike riders in their areas.

A week ago, police announced that they would shoot anyone seen on a motorbike in the areas close to Qarabagh, shopkeeper Rafiullah said.

“This ruling has been made for police safety, not for public security,” he lamented.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Zarwar Zahid , said police had not been ordered to shoot riders. “Everyone can ride a motorbike having a number plate and legal documents,” he added.

Last year, police in the provincial capital banned motorbikes without number plates and seized more than 600 motorcycles from violators of traffic laws. The bikes are still locked up at the traffic department.

Last year, when the governnment banned motorbike riding, Taliban fighters immediately closed down all the 28 schools in Deh Yak district in retaliation.

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