Chaghcharan returns to normal as protests end

CHAGHCHARAN (PAN and children.  

The protesting residents said reconstruction projects in the city could not be launched over the past many years. They forced the closure of the bazaar and the provincial council office to press for their demands.

One rally on Thursday involved hundreds of children, who called for improved electricity supply and road pavement in Chaghcharan.

The council office reopened Friday afternoon after talks with some representatives of the protestors, Governor Syed Allah Rahmati told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the Presidential Office and other officials had pledged addressing the concerns and problems of Chaghcharan dwellers.

Rahmati said he would be leading a delegation of Wolesi Jirga to discuss the issue with President Hamid Karzai and his Cabinet ministers this week.

The Ministry of Energy and Water has promised to construct a water dam in Chaghcharan. The power dam called Garm Aab, if constructed, would produce 4.5 megawatts of electricity, according to the governor, who said Japan had provided $ 80 million in aid for asphalting the Ghor-Herat highway.

Chaghcharan businessmen’s union head, Sultan Mohammad, meanwhile, said they had ended their strike for the time being and warned of a complete shutdown if the government failed to resolve their problems.

mm/ma/mud