BAGHLAN - Farmers and members of the provincial council in the northern province of Baghlan said Sunday that the Taliban have imposed illegal taxes on them to finance their war.
They said that the Taliban has ordered that for every 70 kilogram of wheat, seven kgs must be given to the Taliban as usher (tax). Farmers said that the Taliban issue them forms after collecting the tax.
"Taliban collects tax and gives forms, they collect seven kg wheat from each 70 kg," said a local farmer Khawja Habib.
"Taliban ask people for taxes, they collect one pack of wheat or more than that sometimes," a local resident Alam said.
They called on the government to address the issue.
"Taliban collect tax and dominate," another resident Gul Mir said.
"Taliban collects taxes and the government does not take action, people are forced to do whatever the Taliban order," farmer Sher Alam said.
Similar reports have surfaced about tax collection by the Taliban in areas under their control in the past.
"The Taliban impose a tax on people to get funding to continue the fight against government. The highway is under the control of Taliban, all villages are under control of the Taliban and they collect tax," said Shasulhaq Barakzai, a member of the provincial council.
It is said that currently the Taliban control at least 100 villages in Baghlan.(Tolonews)