The United Nations said yesterday a boy was shot dead during a women’s rights rally in Afghanistan’s Herat city a day earlier, when witnesses told AFP security forces dispersed protesters with live fire.

Police have denied that any weapons were used during Tuesday’s demonstration by dozens of men, in response to the Taliban government’s morality police detaining women for not wearing the body-cloaking chador or burqa.

“UNAMA has confirmed that at least one person, a boy, was killed by gunfire, while several others suffered injuries after being beaten with sticks, and is verifying reports of a second fatality,” the mission said in a statement.