At least 6 killed, several injured in Afghan protests

Kabul, May 28 (UNI) At least six persons were killed while several others injured when the Afghan police opened fire on supporters of Northern warlord General Rashid Dostum in Jowzjan province of Northern Afghanistan today.

Trouble broke out when a demonstration of General Dostum's supporters took to the streets demanding replacement of Juma Khan Hamdard, governor of the northern province of Jowzjan.

The protestors reportedly threw stones resulting in police firing .

Though General Dostum holds the position of Chief of Staff of Defence to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, the post is an honorary one and he has remained alienated from the Karzai government.

However, General Dostum remains a powerful figure and President Karzai immediately ordered an inquiry into the incident expressing his deep regret at the deaths.

The incident took place when about 1,000 supporters of the Jumbish-i-Milli, General Dostum's political party took to the streets to denounce Wolesi Jirga member Ahmad Khan, who had recently alleged that the Uzbek warlord had masterminded a recent attack on his car.

Ahmad Khan, a former Jamiat-i-Islami commander, escaped unhurt but his driver and bodyguard were killed in the ambush blamed on General Dostum and Samangan police chief Sharfuddin.

UNI