PJ: Reports suggest that the Taliban are using this issue to promote anti-American inspired unrest in Afghanistan. Extremist groups seized this issue when the Pastor initially planned a burning several months ago, providing them with ample fuel for an already smoldering fire on which the Taliban (and other extremist groups) could capitalize. The Pastor played right into their hands and by doing so has put countless innocent lives at risk.
Xinhua
Protest over Quran burning resumes in southern Afghanistan
By Abdul Haleem, Zhang Jianhua
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The protest over Quran burning resumed in Kandahar, 450 km south of capital Kabul, for the second day on Sunday, leaving two people dead and 39 others injured, provincial health department chief Abdul Qayum Pukhla said.
"Two dead bodies and 39 injured men including two police constables have been taken to hospital for medical treatment," Pukhla told newsmen.
Fourteen people were injured when protestors attacked a police checkpoint during which a gas cylinder exploded wounding 14 persons.
Meantime, Tooryali Weesa, the governor of Kandahar province, addressing a press conference said authorities will not allow anyone to take the law in his hand.
He also stated that some elements armed with weapons have been arrested from among the demonstrators.
The governor also ordered law enforcing bodies to protect public and private properties and ensure security for citizens.
The protestors while chanting slogans against the U.S. also demanded punishment for those responsible for the burning of Quran in Florida of America.
On the other hand, head of Kandahar's Provincial Council Ahmad Wali Karzai, the younger brother of President Hamid Karzai, in talks with journalists, did not rule out Taliban involvement in turning the demonstration to violence, saying elements loyal to insurgents were attempting to create law and order problems.
This is the second successive day that people in Kandahar have staged a protest demonstration to condemn the reported burning of Quran by a priest in the United States recently.
In a similar demonstration on Saturday nine people were killed and 81 others sustained injuries.
Likewise, in a demonstration in the northern Mazar-e-Sharif city on Friday which turned violence, the demonstrators ransacked the UN compound and killed seven employees of the world body, while 23 others including a UN staff received injuries.
Afghans in similar but peaceful demonstrations held in other cities including the capital city Kabul over the past three days condemned the reported burning of Muslim holy book Quran in the U. S. recently.
For photos and more on the story:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-04/03/c_13811701.htm
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