*KABUL – Mohammad Arif Shahjahan, Farah’s provincial governor, on Thursdaystepped down following Wednesday’s protests over the deteriorating securityin the province. *

Shahjahan said that he has resigned due to the increase in insecurity and asplit in opinion between residents over the security situation in theprovince.

Shahjahan has called on the National Unity Government (NUG) to appoint anew governor.

This comes after a source said at least six people were wounded in ashooting during a demonstration outside the governor’s building onWednesday.

The angry crowd had tried to enter the governor’s building when policefired on them.

This also comes after a few weeks of deteriorating security in theprovince.

On Friday local officials sharply criticized security institutions for whatthey called poor war management in the province and said there had been asharp increase in fatalities among security force members in the provincein the past month.

According to them, the security forces have not been able to drive back theTaliban.

Farah deputy governor Mohammad Younus Rasuli criticized government for itspoor war management and said the Taliban has positioned itself on theoutskirts of Farah city.