LASHKARGAH (SW): Residents in Nahr-e-Siraj, Babaji and Marja districts in Helmand province, said that the Taliban have tasked two commissions to collect tax on lands in the mentioned districts.
They said these commissions have been collecting taxes over the past few days now. They added that Taliban collect taxes for their upcoming fighting season.
Haji Zahir, a member of District Council in Marja, said that Taliban have been active in different parts of Marja and collect Rs 100 (afn 65) per each hectare of land.
Abdul Samad, one of the residents in the district, said that Taliban have usurped 100,000 hectares of lands that the government had distributed among the people.
Considering the fact that people have some 300,000 hectares of lands, Taliban would collect Rs 30 million i.e. $ 3 million worth of tax from the locals.
It is said that the insurgents distribute form to be filled by tax payers and in return Taliban take Rs 3500/ $ 35 from them and if anyone disobeys they face imprisonment.
Mullah Abdul Majid Akhondzada, Deputy Head of the Provincal Council in Helmand, said in this regard that the Taliban have imposed taxes in all northern districts in Helmand on government utilities like electricity and roads.
Taliban aim to take this trend to southern districts in the province as well, he said. He said through the taxes the militants have collected enormous wealth to equip themselves for the next fighting season.
He regretted that the security forces were not taking action to stop Taliban from imposing taxes on people.
SalamWatandar tried to reach officials in Helmand for their comments on this but to no avail.
ENDS
