PAKISTAN: TRIBESMEN CONTINUE PROTEST
Khaar, 7 Nov. (AKI/DAWN) - Tribesmen held protest rallies in Pakistan's remote Bajaur Agency on Monday against last week's attack on a madrassa which claimed the lives of over 80 people. The Awami National Party, the People's Party Parliamentarians and other parties held demonstrations in Charmang, Salarzai, Utmankhel, Nawagai and Mamond areas. A large number of tribesmen took part in the rallies and chanted slogans against the United States which they claim was behind the raid.
The speakers said that innocent students, mostly children who were learning the Koranand getting a religious education, had been targeted.
They alleged that US forces based in Afghanistan had carried out the airstrike and called on tribal parliamentarians to resign from the National Assembly and Senate, pledging to avenge the death of innocent people in the attack.
The Pakistani army has said that it carried out the air raid on 30 October on the madrassa run by a local cleric, Moulvi Liaquat Hussain, who was believed to be sheltering al-Qaeda fighters and has denied US involvement in the operation.
The speakers said that innocent students, mostly children who were learning the Koranand getting a religious education, had been targeted.
They alleged that US forces based in Afghanistan had carried out the airstrike and called on tribal parliamentarians to resign from the National Assembly and Senate, pledging to avenge the death of innocent people in the attack.
The Pakistani army has said that it carried out the air raid on 30 October on the madrassa run by a local cleric, Moulvi Liaquat Hussain, who was believed to be sheltering al-Qaeda fighters and has denied US involvement in the operation.
posted by Marko at 11/07/2006 08:34:00 AM
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