Some residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, the center of Balkh province, have expressed concern over rising theft and insecurity in various parts of the city. They say they do not feel safe or confident about their security when leaving their homes. According to them, the Taliban are not only unable to ensure security in the city but are themselves a source of fear and concern for the people.
Sayed Nabi, a taxi driver in Mazar-i-Sharif whose vehicle was stolen about a month ago in the 10th district, says he had gone home to rest and had parked his car in front of his house, but when he came out, he realized that thieves had taken it.
He says he also went to the Taliban police command to find his car, but he was told to go home and that he would be contacted if the thief was arrested. The taxi driver says he has now lost hope and is no longer searching for his stolen vehicle.
Abdul Mubeen, a grocery shop owner in the “Project S” area in the western part of Mazar-i-Sharif, says that a few days ago, around 10 pm, while he was about to close his shop, two men on a motorcycle entered his store and threatened him to hand over his cash and mobile phone. He emphasizes that he was fortunate because at that moment, three residents entered the shop to make purchases, and the thieves fled upon seeing them.
Abdul Mubeen adds that the appearance of the thieves was no different from that of members of the Taliban, except that they had covered their faces. He says that after this incident, he has decided to close his shop earlier and return home sooner.
Shah Mohammad, another resident of Mazar-i-Sharif who lives in the Khalid project in the south of the city, says that two weeks ago, when he went out for morning prayers, he was attacked near a mosque by thieves who took his mobile phone and cash and also beat him. He says he was beaten because he did not have much money.
However, some residents of Mazar-i-Sharif say that weapons and power are in the hands of the Taliban, and if anyone commits armed robbery, they are either members of the Taliban or in collaboration with the group.
A tribal elder who is familiar with some local Taliban members says that in his view, the group’s officials in Mazar-i-Sharif are now busy accumulating wealth. According to him, instead of genuinely ensuring people’s security, the Taliban are trying to present a staged image of security while severely suppressing information and the media.
This comes as residents of Kabul and Herat, as well as several other provinces, have previously also expressed serious concern over the rise in armed robberies. According to them, despite the Taliban’s claims of ensuring security, people’s lives and property are not safe.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
افزایش دزدیها در بلخ؛ مردم: سروصورت دزدان با طالبان تفاوت ندارد
