Kabul investigates mass protest

Kabul investigates mass protest

By Catherine Davies
BBC correspondent in Kabul

ISAF soldiers rushed to the scene

The Afghan Government has appointed a commission to investigate a mass protest in one of the most sensitive parts of the capital, Kabul.

Soldiers from the International Security Force (ISAF) have been patrolling the area since the incident last weekend.

Thousands of people gathered outside a police station in the Dasht-e Barchi district on Saturday after claims that a policeman tried to kidnap a woman there.

The demonstration was the first large scale disturbance in the city since violent student riots late last year.

The ISAF response is a temporary measure for 72 hours.

Its forces will then continue to monitor the situation. Residents in Dasht-e Barchi meanwhile have sent an appeal to the government.

Unease

They want those responsible for the alleged attack to be punished and have nominated their own candidates to police the district.

There are frequent reports of looting, intimidation and even killings

There is been unease between the police and population there for some time. Last Saturday it boiled over.

Angry protestors, many of them young men, surrounded the police headquarters.

Traders nearby closed their stalls in solidarity.

By mid afternoon, the crowd had swelled to thousands. Government officials and ISAF forces rushed to the scene in a bid to calm the situation.

Dispersed

A van leaving the area was pelted with stones.

By early evening most people had dispersed. According to ISAF, no-one was seriously injured in the protest.

It is common knowledge that this area of Kabul is particularly sensitive - a so called hotspot in terms of tensions and criminality.

There are frequent reports of looting, intimidation and even killings.

Attempts have already been made to improve security.

Some people blame outside interference or ethnic sensitivities. Others point to the area's extreme poverty.

Despite signs of growing confidence and normality in this city, most agree security and stability cannot be assumed.