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Taliban fighters reportedly opened fire on crowds gathered in the city to protest the militant group’s rule.
Local news agency Pajhwok Afghan News shared an online video showing people carrying the Afghan national flag on the streets of Jalalabad before shots were fired.
Also read: Taliban in Power, Biden Blames Afghan Leaders and Army
Meanwhile a video circulating on Twitter shows several people also reported to have taken down the previous Taliban flag that was hung in the city center.
Journalists at the scene were also allegedly beaten for filming the protest, according to local news reports Al Arabiya.
The day before, during their first public press conference since they took control of the capital Kabul, the Taliban said that families trying to flee the country out of fear would not be harmed.
The group’s main spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Taliban would not seek retaliation against former soldiers and members of the Western-backed government.
Also read: Taliban Announce ‘General Amnesty’ for Afghan Government Employees
Mujahid has said that private media can continue to be free and independent in Afghanistan and the Taliban are committed to media within their cultural framework.
The group will also grant amnesty to former Afghan government soldiers as well as contractors and translators working for international forces.
(ian)
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