Supporters of a militia commander, Alipur aka commander Shamsher, caused panic in Kabul city as they clashed with police on second day of their protest.
Speaking at a press conference in Kabul on Monday, security officials said demonstrators have wounded 48 policemen, four of them with gunshot wounds.
Deputy Interior Minister Akhtar Mohammad Ibrahimi said the protesters used the weapons given by the government to secure mosques, adding that Afghan nation is fed up with irregularities, expecting Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to bring those harassing or extorting ordinary people to justice.
“Security forces will never take any step against national unity,” said Ibrahim.
Ibrahimi said everyone in the country is subject to the country’s applicable laws, and commander Alipoor cannot be an exception.
“In accordance with the law, security forces will take actions against all those accused of violations.” Ibrahmi said.
Commander Alipur is now under investigation by the National Directorate of Security (NDS), and his case will be referred to judicial organs after 72 hours, the deputy interior minister added.
He repeatedly rejected claims that police opened fire using live rounds and said: “Live ammunition was not used against the demonstrators on Sunday in Kabul.”
He also stated that no one had been killed in Sunday’s street clashes or on Monday in Kabul, but that 48 security force members had been wounded.
In the meantime, the NDS in a statement said that Alipur has been arrested on charges of illegal armed activities, extortion, and attacks on Afghan security forces.
The statement said Alipur formed an illegal militia of 150 men in 2016 that was collecting money from ordinary people and extorting businessmen and companies in Wardak province.
According to the statement, when Afghan forces tried to stop his illegal activities, gunmen loyal to him attacked Afghan security forces, killing five policemen and taking their belongings, including weapons and vehicles.
Simultaneously, a number of Wardak residents on Monday staged a demonstration against Alipur, accusing him of human rights violations.
The demonstrators called on government to prosecute him for crimes he committed in the province and other parts of the country.
