NIMROZ - Some people flocked to loot public property from government institutions in the city of Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province, after it fell to the Taliban on Friday, sparking strong reaction from residents of other provinces, as well as, religious scholars. Many videos were released following the fall of Zaranj to the Taliban showing people carrying equipment as they took them out of government institutions, including governor’s compound. Another footage from Zaranj shows prisoners escaping the main provincial prison. A similar scenario happened in Sheberghan, the capital of Jawzjan in northern Afghanistan, after it fell to the Taliban on Saturday. “This shows the Taliban has no plan for governance or for providing service to the people,” presidential adviser Shahussain Murtazawi said. “This time, Talibs are following the policy of looting.” “I have already mentioned that if the Taliban had the will to build, they should first come up with peace, sit with Afghans and build this country together,” Zabul provincial council’s chairman Ata Jan Haq Bayan said. Religious scholars also condemned indifference to protection of public property by the people. “Wasting public property is forbidden. Anyone who takes over public property, must protect it and must prevent its waste,” said Mawlawi Abdul Wadood, a religious scholar. Ordinary Afghans asked the warring parties to protect public property in areas under their control. “Looting public property is a war crime. It is inhuman,” said Kamran, a Kabul resident. “Public property such as government buildings and bridges should be protected,” said Rashid Farhang, a Takhar resident. As violence continues in the country, the government said last month that in the districts recently seized by the Taliban, essential government services have been halted, and a large number of civil servants have been harmed, or displaced from their areas to provincial capitals. According to government findings, the Taliban either torched or destroyed 260 government buildings and assets in 116 districts. The findings show that 13 million Afghans have been deprived of social services in the Taliban-held areas and 50,000 employees, including women, have been affected in areas under the influence of the group. Taliban has rejected the findings. The group announced on Saturday that all government employees “will be safe” in areas under their control. (TOLO News)