SHEBERGHAN (SW): Local officials in Jawzjan have said members of the local armed militia are extorting money from passengers.
Abdul Qader Malya, deputy chairman of the provincial council, informed the members of local uprising force have established check posts, and are extorting money from passengers travelling from Qirqeen district to provincial capital Sheberghan or Balkh province. “They are extorting up to AFN 30,000 on daily basis by force from passengers”, he said.
A number of locals have also confirmed that these armed men physically abuse whoever oppose paying them.
Meanwhile, Abdul Hafeez Khashi, director security at the provincial police headquarters, has discarded these reports. He informed Salam Watandar these armed men are essential for ensuring peace in Qirqeen district. He said no formal complaint has been lodged to them so far.
Qirqeen is a far-away remote district of Jawzjan sharing border with Turkmenistan.
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