Published: July 28, 2007

Tirinkot Bazaar Shut in Protest Against NATO Soldiers

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The main bazaar of Tirinkot, capital of the southern Uruzgan province, was closed on Thursday in protest against the unbecoming conduct of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.

Shopkeepers complained the NATO-led force had been conducting operations in the city centre over the last three days, bringing life to a standstill and creating unwarranted hurdles to their businesses.

As the market wore a deserted look, one of the protesting shopkeepers, Farhad, accused ISAF soldiers of pestering them - without rhyme or reason - on their way to the main market and back home. Shop-keeping was the only means of survival for their families, but the foreign forces were hampering it, he charged.

Samiullah, another retailer, grumbled his business had been affected badly owing to frequent searches and frisks carried out by ISAF troops - mostly from Holland and Australia. He saw no justification whatsoever for the operation that took a heavy toll on small-time merchants, who were ultimately forced into the shutdown.

A provincial government functionary, requesting anonymity, revealed to this news agency an official delegation had lodged a strong protest with the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) over the harassment of the common people.

The official claimed the PRT commander, apologising for the inconvenience caused to the shopkeepers, promised the ISAF soldiers would avoid bothering the commoners in the future.

In Kabul, the NATO office said the other day it was unaware of the operations but hinted at releasing shortly details of the crackdown. As the operation continued for a third consecutive day on Thursday, the military alliance is yet to provide any information.

Source: ANC News

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com