Pakistani forces fire on Chaman protesters, torched tents

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Pakistani security forces have opened fire on and torched the tents of protesters who staged a sit-in against the enforcement of passport and visa availability for across Durand Line movement.

The sit-in was staged almost eight months ago by local people when the Pakistan government changed its policy and enforced a single document --- passport, visa --- cross Durand Line movement.

Thousands of these protesters have besides sealing some government institutions closed the Kogak road on trucks.

Protesters have now said that last night Pakistani security forces opened fire on them and torched their tents.

One of the protesters said: “Militia forces came and opened fire on us, they destroyed our tents and tried to remove the entire sit-in.”

Video footage distributed by the protesters showed that Pakistani forces opened fire on protesters this morning.

Shah Khan, one of the protesters said: “We will continue our sit-in until our demands are not met; they should open the door for us, our children dying from hunger.”

Hayat Shahzad, another protester, said: “Our leaders are arrested, a large number of people were injured in Pakistani forces firing and Pakistani forces tried to disintegrate protesters and open the road.”

Pakistani forces also stopped telecommunication services in Chaman.

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