Damaged Garmsir school hosts Shura
1/25/2010
By
Lance Cpl. Dwight Henderson
,
Regimental Combat Team 7
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan
The school's white walls were stained black from the fire and smoke that billowed out of its broken windows just a week before. Protestors in Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, had set fire to the school, burning approximately 300 Korans inside.
With Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment providing security, Jan. 19, approximately 800 Garmsir locals sat on the grounds of that school for a shura.
Helmand Provincial Gov. Mangal, International Security Assistant Force Regional Command (South) nding General Maj. Gen. Nick P. Carter, and Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan Commanding General Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson spoke during the shura.
"We are here to help each other and to talk about the horrible incident that happened here and why it happened," said Mangal.
After an opening prayer, tribal elders, local village elders and Gov. Abdullah Jan, the Garmsir District governor, spoke to the people about the demonstrations.
"During the demonstration, the district governor, the police chief, and the colonel came together and solved the problem," said one tribal elder.
Mangal was one of the last to speak as he delivered a passionate speech about the protests and the future for Garmsir.
"The demonstration that happened here is not like the people of Garmsir," said Mangal. "It was terrorists, and the Taliban, that used the people of Garmsir."
Mangal added that he himself would be starting his own investigation into the accusations of a desecrated Koran, saying he believes was planned outside the country by foreign members of the Taliban.
"There was no way for the Taliban to fight with us," said Mangal. "The only way for them to fight with us was to use the civilian people. Our enemy doesn't like us to progress. They don't like us to be successful in our lives."
Mangal talked about the restraint shown by the Marines during the riots. Marines showed restraint as the crowd damaged their vehicles with gunfire and stones.
Mangal promised the rebuilding of the school and in closing, spoke about the future of Helmand province.
"I guarantee you guys that in a short amount of time we are going to take over all districts from the Taliban," said Mangal. "We'll make Helmand a peaceful place and make it a great place to live."
The next to talk was Carter, who commented on how out of 60 districts, Garmsir is used as one of the greatest examples of progress. He also commented on the restraint shown by the Marines.
"The restraint shown here is evident to how much they respect you," said Carter. "Gen. Nicholson's forces are here to help you and protect you."
The final person to talk was Nicholson who spoke about the appropriateness of having the shura in the school that had been damaged in the riots.
"The number one target of this entire protest was to destroy this school and that's because this school represents the future," said Nicholson. "This is where the future doctors, lawyers, engineers, and generals come from in Garmsir."
Nicholson mentioned the hours of cultural training Marines receive in preparation for deployment and promised that any Marine who showed disrespect or misconduct would be sent home.
Overall the shura's message was of hope for the future of Garmsir and all of Helmand province through continued partnership between ISAF, Afghan national security forces, and the local populace.
"If we work together we can ensure something like this doesn't happen again and Garmsir can become one of the great cities of this country," said Nicholson.
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HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan -Approximately 800 locals gathered inside the grounds of the school located across from the Garmsir District center for a shura in the Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, along with Afghan national security forces provided security for a shura held in the school that was burnt during the Garmsir protest just a week before. , Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson, 1/18/2010 8:45 PM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Helmand Provincial Governor Gov. Gulab Mangal speaks to a group of approximately 800 locals during a shura in the Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, along with Afghan national security forces provided security for a shura held in the school that was burnt during the Garmsir protest just a week before. , Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson, 1/18/2010 9:20 PM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-International Security Assistant Force Regional Command South Commanding General Maj. Gen. Nick P. Carter speaks to a crowd of approximately 800 people during a shura in the Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, along with Afghan national security forces provided security for a shura held in the school that was burnt during the Garmsir protest just a week before. , Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson, 1/18/2010 10:03 PM
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan-Marine Expeditionary Brigade Afghanistan Commanding General Brig. Gen. Larry D. Nicholson speaks to a crowd of approximately 800 people during a shura in Garmsir district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, along with Afghan national security forces provided security for a shura held in the school that was burnt during the Garmsir protest just a week before. , Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson, 1/18/2010 10:06 PM
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