PAN, June 17, 2014

Man claims govt officials cut off his finger

"They cut off my finger because I had voted for Ghani and they also tried to cut off my nose and ears"

By Habibur Rahman Sherzai

A resident of the Jalgai district in northern Baghlan province has accused police and government officials of cutting off his middle finger two days after he cast his vote for Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

Mohammad Dad told Pajhwok Afghan News he was on his way home on Sunday when three policemen and as many government officials attacked him.

Mohammad Dad was on his way home when three policemen and as many government officials attacked him and cut off his middle finger for voting for Ashraf Ghani. (Photo: Azadiradio.com)

“They cut off my finger because I had voted for Ghani and they also tried to cut off my nose and ears, but my two young brothers who were with me at the time started crying and ran towards the village to inform people who then rescued me,” he said.

Dad Mohammad urged President Karzai and Interior Minister Omar Daudzai to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Jalgai police chief Mohammad Afzal rejected Mohammad’s claim, saying the job of police was to maintain security not to ask people whom they voted for. He said the allegation was part of a plot against him.

The district chief, Haji Gul Agha, said no one had so far complained to him, but he had heard about a clash between residents of the area.

The district chief said he had no information about the alleged mutilation incident.

A provincial council member and resident of the Jalgai district, Fazluddin, also rejected the young man’s claim and called it a conspiracy.

The Taliban cut off the fingers of 11 people as punishment for voting in Afghanistan’s presidential election. In Herat, these men had their index finger's amputated for ignoring the terror threat. (Photo: EPA)

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