Taliban militants extort up to one million afghanis daily from coal transporters in northern Samangan province, local officials said.
Mohammad Dawood Kalakani, the governor of Samangan, said that militants extort from coal transporters after blocking roads connecting Dara-e-Suf Bala and Dara-e-Suf Payeen districts to the provincial capital nearly two years ago.
He said that militants were extorting 10,000 afghanis from each vehicle carrying coal.
Transporters said that people loyal to the government were also extorting coal transporters.
Nasrullah, a coal transporter, said that the Taliban collect 10,000 afghanis regardless of how much coal the vehicle carries.
Mohammad Zaki, a coal seller, said that he paid 200,000 afghanis to the Taliban in 20 days alone.
Some of the drivers said that said security posts on road from Dara-i-Suf district were not only extorting money but were also taking coal they were carrying.
