Kabul, (Kubha News)—The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior has announced plans to arrest those involved in shooting incidents during disputes over the destruction of poppy fields in Argo and Draim districts of Badakhshan. Additionally, the Taliban intends to replace forces responsible for destroying poppy fields in these areas.
Abdul Matin Qani, the ministry spokesman, stated that residents of the area welcomed the destruction of the poppy fields and seek justice for those killed in the shooting. Qani told the BBC, “The people want to prosecute the soldiers who shot. Their request is completely legitimate, and the perpetrators of the shootings will be present to the court.”
Qani reported that the poppy eradication campaign in these districts is progressing, describing the situation as “absolutely normal.” He dismissed reports of demonstrations against the Taliban government in Baghlan, attributing previous demonstrations to concerns regarding flood damage and requests for housing reconstruction.
The Taliban government aims to combat narcotics cultivation, but no concrete steps have been taken to implement alternative cultivation methods. Last March, Pino Alarchi, former Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, emphasized the international community’s responsibility to support Afghanistan in eradicating drug cultivation.
Following Farah, Badakhshan is the second province where farmers protest Taliban leader Mullah Hebatullah’s order to eradicate poppy cultivation.
Badakhshan holds strategic importance for the Taliban in expanding control over northern provinces of Afghanistan and confronting opposition along the Tajik border.