Thousands gather in Kabul to seek justice for Momand

KABUL (Pajhwok): Thousands of people on Thursday held a gathering in capital Kabul to voice their support for Balkh provincial council member Mohammad Asif Momand in his tussle with Governor Atta Mohammad Noor.

Momand had accused Noor of massive corruption in Balkh. In reply, Noor captured Momand as he landed at the Mazar-i-Sharif Airport in a violent manner and kept him hostage for hours. During his captivity, Momand was tortured and his one ear partially chopped off.

Participants of the gathering in Kabul condemned Noor’s torture on Momand in strongest words and asked the government to put the influential governor on trial.

They chanted:  “we want social justice, end to Iran’s empire in Balkh, we strongly condemn the inhuman acts of Noor, we want the Balkh governor prosecuted.”

Ajmal Umar, a provincial council member from Nangarhar province, said: “We are gathered here to condemn the torture on Momand and want the perpetrators of this cruelty to be tried and punished.”

He said the national unity government should end Noor’s imagination of being above the law and powerful and punish him according to the law. He warned if their demands were not considered, they would hold massive protests.

Waqifullah Rohani, another public representative said they wanted justice for Momand.

The protesters also passed a six-point resolution asking the government to investigate Momand’s case and punish the perpetrators.

nh/ma