By Bashir Ahmad Naadim

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Insecurity, lack of healthcare services and schools are the main problems being faced by residents of the Mianshin district of southern Kandahar province, the district chief has said.

Haji Rozi Khan told Pajhwok Afghan News during an interview that Mianshin district was brought under government’s control as a result of a massive security operation three years back, but insurgents continued to hold sway in much of the town, intimidating residents in every sphere of life.

He said the government’s writ in much of the district remained weak and insurgents forced residents into ceasing cooperation with the government by threatening them.

The mountainous Mianshin district borders Dadi Chopan and Mizan districts of neighbouring Zabul and Chora and Khas Uruzgan districts of central Uruzgan province. It also lies near three insecure towns of Kandahar including Shah Walikot, Khakrez and Nesh.

Khan said another reason of insecurity in his district was that its adjacent districts were insecure. The Taliban remained in control of Mianshin district for two years after their regime was toppled in 2001. Later the rebels were driven from the district, but they returned, captured the district and ruled it for six years.

“Still many areas are controlled by the insurgents, who use to block roads, plant mines, threaten people against cooperating with the government,” the district chief said.

He said the Taliban had been able to prevent residents from going to the recent elections. Even not a single school could be open in the town due to Taliban’s threats, he said.

Rozi Khan said later prayer leaders at mosques tried to teach school books to students but they were also threatened against doing so.

Khan also complained about lack of healthcare facilities in the district, saying there was only one clinic for the town’s 45000 people.

Residents used to take their patients to neighbouring Zabul and Uruzgan province, but they had to face many problems on the way due to unpaved and dusty roads.

He accused the insurgents of depriving residents, particularly children, of healthcare services. Sometime ago, he claimed, the rebels prevented polio vaccination to children.