AMMAN — At least two people were reported wounded when gunshots were fired on Sunday after around 3,000 protesters blocking a main road in Jordan over a land dispute stopped a military Royal Guard bus.
"They blocked the road from Zarqa university to the city of Mafraq (in the northeast) to demand land that their tribes (Zawahrah and Khalailah) have been authorized by the government to use since 1952," deputy Musa Zawahrah told AFP.
"A military Royal Guard bus which was passing by was harassed by the demonstrators, and shooting in the air was heard. Two demonstrators were slightly injured."
He added that "servicemen were also injured," but did not elaborate.
King Abdullah II "immediately dispatched his adviser on tribal affairs, Sharif Fawwaz Zabn, who told members of the two tribes that a royal decree will be issued returning the land to the people," Zawahrah said.
However, a senior official denied that such a decree will be issued.
"The king has instructed an already existing ministerial committee headed by the interior minister that is in charge of such issues to look into their request in a fair way and in accordance with the law," the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Zawahrah earlier quoted Zabn as saying that "the cabinet will issue a decision in the coming two days to settle the land dispute and restore the rights of the people."
According to Zabn, the government in 1952 authorized the Zawahrah and Khalailah tribes to use 2,500 hectares (6,177 acres) of land in the area.
"But later, the government acquired chunks of the land for its employees, Zarqa university and the Jordan Press Association," Zawahrah charged.
"This is against the law and the constitution. Such an authorization cannot be granted twice."
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