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PUL-I-ALAM (SW): The Taliban militants in Logar province have forced the locals to pay millions of afghanis as forced taxes.
A number of farmers from the capital Pul-i-Alam, Mohammad Agha, Khoshi and Baraki Barak districts confirmed that they have been forced to pay the money. According to the farmers, the Taliban’s men were roaming around freely and knocking doors everywhere during the harvest time for extortion.
Abdul Baqi, a farmer in the Kharwar district, told Salam Watandar that the Taliban have been doing this every year in the harvest time. He added that the Taliban collect 10 percent tax on the yield, and if someone rejects it, they are persecuted. Redi Gul, another farmer in the Kharwar district, said that the militants keep record of the farmers and their yields.
Jawed, a resident of the Baraki Barak district said that this forced tax collection has inflicted heavy losses upon the farmers. He urged the government to liberate them from this situation.
Meanwhile, Qareebullah Sadat, head of the provincial council said in this regard that the Taliban have intensified their tax collection drive this year. He affirmed that the Taliban have managed to collect taxes in a number of areas.
Saleem Saleh, spokesman for the provincial governor, clarified that the Taliban are collecting taxes at harvest time in areas under their influence. He added that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are trying their best to stop the militants from collecting taxes.
Zabehullah Mujahid, a spokesman of the Taliban has acknowledged that they are collecting taxes.
ENDS