RASC News Agency: For the past two days, a number of freight drivers operating on the Herat-Ghazni route have staged protests against what they describe as the disorganization and unfairness of the Taliban’s scheduling commission. Today, the situation escalated as Taliban forces intervened violently, dispersing the protesters and injuring one individual.
The unrest began on Wednesday, August 28th. According to sources, the protest has turned violent, with clashes occurring between the demonstrators and Taliban forces. Reports indicate that Taliban soldiers have physically assaulted the protesters.
Sources also report that the Taliban fired upon the demonstrators, resulting in injuries to one driver. Protesters claim that the Taliban are attempting to suppress the demonstration through the use of force. The Taliban have yet to issue a statement regarding the drivers’ protest.
Some drivers allege that the Taliban established a commission named the “Schedule and Rotation Commission” in Herat after assuming control. Drivers assert that members of this commission do not allocate freight opportunities fairly. According to their claims, drivers with strong connections to the Taliban receive multiple assignments per month, whereas those without such connections rarely secure even a single assignment.
The drivers have accused the commission of bias and favoritism, prompting their protest for equitable treatment. In response, the Taliban have employed violence and live ammunition against the demonstrators. The Taliban maintain that their decisions are lawful and that they do not engage in favoritism or mismanagement. However, the drivers contend that bias and unfair practices are prevalent, which has led them to protest.
