Brawl between two groups scuttle Paktia gathering

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): A gathering arranged in southeastern Paktia province to discuss measures as to how control growing administrative corruption was scuttled following physical brawl between two parties in southeastern Paktia province on Friday, a Pajhwok Afghan News correspondent said.

The Jirga, he said was arranged in a local hotel, which was attended by local elders and tens of youth and social activists.

The gathering was about to be addressed by a number of people to demand the central government to send a fact-finding delegation to investigate the graft cases against certain officials and their relatives.

However, he said the programme was interrupted when a speaker was talking about the involvement of particular persons in graft as sympathizers of the rival party did not allow him to speak.

He said that exchanging harsh words between the parties led to physical attack on each other, which left several people injured.

Dr. Haya Gul Paktin, director of Paktia Civil Hospital, confirmed receiving a number of wounded people in the hospital but they were stated to be in stable condition.

Maj. Gen. Zalmai Oryakhel, police chief, said police rushed to the scene and control the situation, with the arrest of several people.

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