RASC News Agency: Local sources from Baghlan report that the Taliban in Pul-e-Khumri have instructed shopkeepers, hoteliers, and stallholders to pay a weekly fee of 30 Kabuli rupees for the maintenance of security cameras installed by the group. According to the sources, this directive was issued by the Taliban’s police command, which has deemed the payment mandatory. The Taliban previously announced the installation of 350 security cameras in Pul-e-Khumri city.
In an official letter issued on Tuesday, Dec 31, the Taliban’s police command stated that a dedicated center has been established for the maintenance of these security cameras. The letter specified:
“All shopkeepers, hoteliers, stallholders, and business owners in Pul-e-Khumri are required to pay 30 Kabuli rupees weekly to the Security Camera Monitoring Office.” The letter further emphasized the obligatory nature of this payment, instructing shopkeepers to hand over the fees to designated “security guards.”
While the Taliban claimed that the installation of hidden cameras was intended to enhance security in Pul-e-Khumri, they are now demanding financial contributions from residents for their upkeep. Local shopkeepers, however, have expressed frustration, labeling the Taliban’s demand as exploitative. They cite widespread unemployment and pervasive poverty as reasons why many cannot afford these fees. The shopkeepers also pointed out that Pul-e-Khumri has a high number of shops, allowing the Taliban to collect substantial amounts of money through this scheme.
Additionally, sources have revealed that the security cameras installed by the Taliban are of substandard quality, with limited functionality, as they cannot identify faces beyond a ten-meter range. Over the past three years, the Taliban have installed security cameras in various cities and, in some instances, have mandated residents to install surveillance systems in their homes. While the Taliban argue that these installations enhance public safety, citizens have criticized the initiative, accusing the group of using inferior equipment as a pretext to extort money from the populace.
