4 Afghans Killed During Protest against Quran Desecration
At least four people have been killed and seven others injured during Afghan people’s protest against desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Musa Qala district in the southern Helmand Province.
“Four people have been killed and seven others, including two policemen, have been shot and injured in the clash,” said provincial governor’s spokesman Ahmad Zeerak.
The Wednesday rally was held to protest against the desecration of the holy Qur’an by a member of the police force in Musa Qala district.
The protest turned violent after police opened fire on the Afghan villagers in reaction to an alleged gunfire by a militant.
Zeerak said it was unclear whether the casualties were caused by the police gunfire, noting that the officers fired live rounds after “Taliban fighters hiding among the protesters opened fire on police first.”
Local official Mohammad Ismail Hotak said a suspect, who had disguised himself as a police officer, has been arrested in that regard.
“We have a suspect in custody who allegedly went to a mosque last night while wearing a police uniform and desecrated the Holy Qur'an, but our initial information shows he is a member of the Taliban posing as a police," Hotak pointed out.
Afghan officials say no copy of the Holy Qur’an has been burned.
In February 2012, Afghanistan witnessed days of bloody protests in which about 40 people died, after US forces set fire to copies of the Holy Qur’an.
The incident severely strained Afghanistan-US relations, forcing President Barack Obama to apologize.
Source: Agencies
The Wednesday rally was held to protest against the desecration of the holy Qur’an by a member of the police force in Musa Qala district.
The protest turned violent after police opened fire on the Afghan villagers in reaction to an alleged gunfire by a militant.
Zeerak said it was unclear whether the casualties were caused by the police gunfire, noting that the officers fired live rounds after “Taliban fighters hiding among the protesters opened fire on police first.”
Local official Mohammad Ismail Hotak said a suspect, who had disguised himself as a police officer, has been arrested in that regard.
“We have a suspect in custody who allegedly went to a mosque last night while wearing a police uniform and desecrated the Holy Qur'an, but our initial information shows he is a member of the Taliban posing as a police," Hotak pointed out.
Afghan officials say no copy of the Holy Qur’an has been burned.
In February 2012, Afghanistan witnessed days of bloody protests in which about 40 people died, after US forces set fire to copies of the Holy Qur’an.
The incident severely strained Afghanistan-US relations, forcing President Barack Obama to apologize.
Source: Agencies
