KABUL (SW): The Taliban’s presence in northern Kapisa’s Tagab and Alasay districts reminds many of the Taliban rule when schools for girls were closed, wearing western clothes considered a sin and the militants collecting taxes.
According to Salam Watandar’s local reporter, one cannot risk wearing western clothes while heading to these two districts. This would mean inviting the Taliban’s wrath. Fearing a backlash, the locals are too afraid to openly discuss the activities of the Taliban here.
Among the few who dared to share with us the state of affairs, said those working for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) hide their affiliation with the government out of fear of the Taliban. They noted that the security men also avoid crossing these districts while off duty.
It is said that the Chechens and Pakistani militants are also based in Tagab. According to the locals, the militants here have no permanent bases but remain on the move and forcefully collect food from the locals. Residents revealed that the girls in these districts have no right to attend schools while those firms working on development projects are compelled to pay a bounty to the rebels.
Residents in Alasay district told Salam Watandar that 80 to 90 percent of the district is under the influence of the Taliban. They noted that the militants collect taxes, have deprived girls of education and children of polio vaccination.
The Taliban have reportedly torched the homes of many pro-government people and members of the Afghan Local Police (ALP). Local officials also confirmed the presence of the Taliban in these two districts, but said that the situation in these districts has improved compared to a year ago.
Syed Khalid Hashmi, governor of Kapisa, while acknowledging that the Taliban have collected Ushr and Zakat in some far away areas of Alalsy district, claimed that the government has managed to reopen four girls' school that were previously closed.
According to the governor of Kapisa, 50 to 70 percent of the areas in Tagab and Alasay are under the government’s control. He said the loud claim about the Taliban’s rule in these parts of the country was propaganda. The residents want the central government to conduct a large scale operation in the area against the rebels.
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