Child’s kidnapping triggers angry protest in Jawzjan

SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Hundreds of residents of northern Jawzjan province on Tuesday protested against the kidnapping of a nine-year-old boy and warned to block roads against traffic that if the child was not rescued.

The protestors gathered around the governor’s house in Shiberghan, the provincial capital, and asked local officials to take immediate steps for the release of the child.

The protesters, carrying pictures of the kidnapped boy, chanted slogans, “We want justice”, “We want the release of Abdul Rauf as soon as possible from his  kidnappers” and “Death to incompetent officials”

One of the protesters, Mohammad Rasool Sardash, told Pajhwok Afghan News that 40 days had passed since Abdul Rauf’s abduction in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of Balkh province, but the government was yet to take any step.

He said if officials concerned kept silence and did not rescue the child, the protestors would start revolutionary movements and the government would be then responsible.

“The people are tired of negligence of government officials, they no longer want to keep silence; If relevant authorities do not take action for rescuing Abdul Rauf from his kidnappers, we will close all transportation routes in the north of the country.”

Qadir Khoshdel, another protester, said the kidnappers had repeatedly sent warnings to Abdul Rauf’s family via video clips which were also posted on social media.

He added that the video clips and warnings were still present in social media but officials did not follow the issue.

“If the situation continues, we will close Aqina and Hairatan ports against traffic and will continue our demonstrations until Abdul Rauf is freed from the abductors,” he said.

Abdul Rauf, a Turkmen child in Balkh province, was kidnapped about 50 days ago while going to school and his family is asked to pay $1.5 million in ransom.

Mds/ma