At least two protesters were killed and more than 20 wounded during clashes between protesters and security forces in downtown Kabul early Tuesday morning.
The clash started at about midnight and lasted until 4am Tuesday morning.
Protesters said the clash was sparked when security forces tried to dismantle their tents at Sherpoor Square near Shar-e-Now.
Protestors said police also detained 11 protesters.
However, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said nine protesters were detained and one of them was armed.
He confirmed the death of one person in the clash between security forces and protesters on Monday night.
"Based on the joint command of Kabul Garrison, the National Security Council and the National Directorate of Security, it was decided to remove the tents from the area," Danish said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
According to them, one of the victims was a 14 year-old teenager who was killed after being hit by an armored police vehicle.
"They (security forces) appeared at the area with one Humvee for each protestor. They (security) did not hesitate any pressure (to push back the protestors and remove the sit-in camp)," said Kalimullah Hamsukhan, a member of the Uprising for Change Movement.
The second victim was Ejazulhaq, a 23-year-old from Safid Shir village in Panjshir province. He was a law faculty graduate.
Sources said Ejazulhaq had close relations with CEO Abdullah Abdullah, and was one of his supporters during the presidential election campaign.
Abdullah meanwhile said the truth about the incident should be clarified and made public.
"It should be made clear if it (the shooting at protestors on Tuesday night) was a mistake or it was because of negligence. And if it was done intentionally, it should be dealt with according to the law," Abdullah said at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Just hours after the incident, the protesters stated they would continue their demonstraton.
"The Uprising for Change Movement counts this an illegal action by the illegitimate National Unity Government and a crime against humanity. The movement will continue its protests for justice," said Omar Ahmad Parwani, a member of the movement.
All the roads leading to Sherpoor Square have now been blocked by containers and more security forces and military vehicles have been brought in to secure the area.
Protesters have been holding a sit-in demonstration in the city since early this month after protesting against the lack of security in the country following the May 31 truck bombing in Kabul that killed over 150 people.
Two days after the truck bombing, the protesters held a mass rally through the streets of the capital. However police opened fire on them, killing at least five.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/7183
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