<p>FIROZKOH (Pajhwok): <a href="/en/taliban" class="glossify-link">Taliban</a> province over the past eight days, with local people facing great inconvenience.</p>
<p>Residents of Dolina, Shahrak, Tolak, Saghar, Tiwara and Pasaband districts of Ghor told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Taliban shut roads of these districts since October 20 <a href="/en/wolesi-jirga" class="glossify-link">Wolesi Jirga</a> elections.</p>
<p>The rebels, who have been in control of the Ghor-Herat highway and Charsada and Pasaband districts for the last few years, now control roads of six southern districts of Ghor, a situation that has created great trouble for locals.</p>
<p>Noor Mohammad Jalali, a resident of Galabida village of Dolina district, said that people could not move from the district to the provincial capital with comfort since few days.</p>
<p>“We could not go to the city because Taliban have made their own posts on the road and they search people,” he said.</p>
<p>Besides civilians, government officials and workers of different organizations also could not travel in these districts due to Taliban checkpoints.</p>
<p>Asadullah (not a real name), a worker of an organization in Saghar district of Ghor, told Pajhwok in the past too they did not feel safe while traveling on district roads but Taliban’s physical presence lately in the area had created serious concerns for them.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Ghor provincial council members also expressed concern over Taliban checkpoints on roads of the six districts and said the presence of Taliban on roads was a great threat to people and the government.</p>
<p>Mohammad Hasham Faizi, a provincial council member, said the Taliban would not reopen the roads of districts until Afghan forces took action.</p>
<p>“Taliban have set up their own checkpoints in Tarbolaq, Asia and Siah Sang areas and have raised own flags, they usually harass and loot people, it proves the weakness of the government,” he added.</p>
<p>Shah Agha Shetab, the provincial police chief, said they would soon launch operations to drive the insurgents from roads.</p>
<p>The Ghor-Herat highway has been under Taliban’s control over the last several years and the insurgents have made checkpoints on the highway for searching commuters. They also extort money from drivers.</p>
<p>mds/ma</p>
