Local sources in Laghman say the Taliban have arrested at least six farmers in the Alingar district of the province for failing to pay ushr (a religious agricultural tax).
A source, who did not want to be named due to security concerns, told the media that the farmers were arrested on Wednesday (May 20) from the “Kabili” area of Alingar district.
The source said: “The Taliban go to villages and forcibly collect ushr and zakat from families who do not even have bread to eat.”
According to the source, the arrests took place after a dispute broke out yesterday between the Taliban and the farmers over the collection of ushr. The Taliban detained six people because they argued over the amount demanded and refused to pay it.
The source added that the detainees were still being held by the Taliban after 24 hours.
Another local source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that despite the severe economic hardships faced by the people, the Taliban continue to collect ushr “by force.”
The Taliban collect 10 percent of the total harvest from every farmer and landowner as ushr, regardless of the actual amount of agricultural production.
Paying ushr to the Taliban is extremely difficult for farmers whose only source of income is their crops. However, the Taliban forcibly collect ushr from everyone as a “religious tax,” separate from state taxes.
Both sources told Etilaatroz that in most cases, the Taliban ask farmers to pay the cash equivalent of the ushr instead of giving part of their agricultural produce.
In this process, neither the farmers’ ability to sell their produce nor the actual market value of the crops is taken into consideration.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
