Illegal commanders use women as human-shield

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAJHWOK): Some local commanders used women as human-shield in their personal enmities in northern Pul-i-khumri province, official said on Sunday.

Khadija Yaqin, director women affairs, in her exclusive interview on the eve of Women International Day, told Pajhwok Afghan News there were many cases in which local armed commanders used women in fighting for their interests.

Recently, illegal armed people stormed a home at Doabi village of Nahrin district, which left a child dead and four children, including an infant and a woman, injured.

The injured woman alleged Muhammad Ali, an illegal local commander, of attacking her homes. She said: “We have a family problem with one Muhammad Ali and the family feud led him to attack us physically.”

But, security forces’ officials in the district said the number of illegal armed people was three times more than security forces and they were unable to disarm them.

The women affairs director also claimed surge in violence against women and demanded the authorities to take severe action against those violating women rights.

In her message marking International Women’s Day, she said that women were brave and they had given a huge respect by Islam in the society.

sam/rm