“I have arisen and become a tempest through the ashes of my burnt children. I have arisen from the rivulets of my brother’s blood. My nation’s wrath has empowered me. My ruined and burnt villages fill me with hatred against the enemy. I have found my path and will never return. I have opened closed doors of ignorance. I have said farewell to all golden bracelets…. I’ve seen barefoot, wandering and homeless children. I’ve seen henna-handed brides with mourning cloths. I’ve seen giant walls of the prisons swallow freedom in their ravenous stomach. I’ve been reborn amidst epics of resistance and courage. I’ve learned the song of freedom in the last breaths, in the waves of blood and in victory….” Poem by Meena.
About thirteen years back this time, in the solar year of 1379, Taliban regime massacred around 360 Hazara people in Yakawlang District of Bamyan province. The bloody corpses were left unburied for many days in the freezing winter of Bamyan. Their death anniversary was held by the victims’ families in that province on Thursday.
This incident was one of the sad tragedies committed by Taliban regime. Their reign of terror was mired in cruelties and bloodsheds. In other words, the Taliban’s dictatorial wheeling and dealing led to tremendously disastrous massacres of innocent Afghans including women and children. Whenever they arrived in a city, the vulnerable residents felt ominous symptoms which would sacrifice them in no times. The city was soon the host of catastrophic murders carried out by Taliban’s regime. They neither felt an iota of mercy nor a tinge of guilt with the oozing blood of innocent corpses!
The Islamic fundamentalists led a cruel regime based on their religious radicalism. They followed stereotypical mindset and dogmatism inflexibly. Their religious ideology originated in obstinate mentalities and strict frame of mind. Their ignorance and illiteracy compounded their stubbornness largely. Their strictness and prejudicial mindsets were reflected in their practices. Under the aegis of religion, Taliban tyrannized Afghan people in the worst possible way.
According to history, Taliban entered Afghanistan behind the smoke screen of establishing theocratic government. They preached a highly religious system and their one-eyed leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, introduced himself Amir-ul-Momineen, a sacred term used for Muslim Caliphs after the demise of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the same as some Afghan kings who desired to rule the country. Of course, they misused the religious sentiments of Afghan people. At the outset of their reign, they gained the trust of people thorough some sorts of religious-orientated practices. But did they continue the same?
Soon after dominating some parts of the country, the other side of the coin appeared. Those who claimed to lead Islamic government changed to dictatorial regime. The country turned a battlefield for merciless killings and bloodshed. In short, their tyranny will be erased neither from history nor from people’s minds.
After all, when the Taliban’s regime was toppled, Afghan people sighed with relief thinking of a democratic government. Unfortunately, their dream did not come true and the country still remains a hotbed for terrorism. Taliban militants destabilize the country thorough performing terrorist acts leading to large casualties.
Furthermore, one of the current controversies causing a great worry for Afghan people is the release of Taliban militants by President Karzai’s decree from Bagram prison. To people’s chagrin, they rejoin their group taking part in terrorist mission. As a result, according to news reported by BBC, Taliban group of fifteen was arrested recently in Kandahar province who are said to be involved in destructive attacks and Kandahar explosion. One of the captives, Mullah Dad Mohammad, says in his audio recorded by a reporter that Mulavi Molib was released from Bagram prison and went to Quetta Pakistan. He says, “I am the son of Akhtar Mohammad, the resident of Pashmul area of Kandahar province. Mulavi sahib (Mulavi Molib), who was captured by American forces in Shahidan Chowk, was released last year a month before spring from Bagram prison and went to Chaman (a city in Pakistan). We went there for visiting him.” Dad Mohammad added that he (Molib) asked them, “Can we continue our ex-friendship?” Dad Mohammad and his fellows answered positively then Molib killed a person in Kandahar and Dad Mohammad along with his friends murdered three people in Rigrizan area.
With the approach of presidential election, the Taliban insurgents have increased their terrorist attacks. In spite of President Karzai’s efforts and his generous acts of releasing the prisoners, Taliban still consider President Karzi as foreigners’ puppet carrying out murderous attacks on Afghan police and civilians. To President’ unmitigated chagrin, soon after being released, they again take arms against Afghan people continuing the deadly actions of terror. Thus, it is a great misfortune of President Karzai that his struggle meets failure repeatedly and the released prisoners bring him dishonor. So, will President Karzai stop persistence for more release of Taliban prisoners?
The answer will be negative. Afghan people have suffered serious harms by Taliban insurgents especially the assassination of the high-ranking politicians; however, the current government did not stop their calls for negotiations and continued its struggle for the militants’ release not only in Afghanistan but also in Pakistan. What are the reasons behind the deep concerns for Taliban insurgents?
President Karzai stated months ago that he struggles for the Taliban’s release who are originally from Afghanistan and he showed concern for his compatriots. Is it really a convincing word? Considering Mr. Karzai’s statement many questions will arise in one’s mind such as: What about the terrorists’ victims? Aren’t they Afghan citizens? Why does the imprisonment of Taliban touch President’s hearts more than the death of innocent Afghans? These are the questions which remain in mystery and perhaps would require broad and enough clarifications.