By Sharafuddin Stanikzai
Truck drivers from the Bala Murghab district of western Badghis province on Sunday accused highway police of seeking bribes from them.
They complained highway police took 2,500 afghanis ($45) in bribe from the driver of each truck plying the road and 20 afghanis from each of bus passengers.
A resident of the area, Abdul Basir, told Pajhwok Afghan News police posts in Mongan and Murchaq areas of the district had been infamous for extorting illegal gratifications.
“The Morchaq police post is located on a hilltop. The personnel manning it have put a box at the roadside. Every trucker has to put a specific amount of money into it,” he alleged.
Basir said anyone refusing to grease police palms ended up paying more. They were also beaten up and humiliated, he added.
A driver, Mohammad Ebrahim, said he had sold his car due to security concerns and police misbehaviour. He was beaten by police several times when he was unable to pay them.
“The government is already aware of the nagging problem. We have no one else to complain to,” remarked Ebrahim, who said police pressured the people not to complain to any higher-ups.
Complainants were bound to suffer high-handedness, he said, adding drivers and people were helpless.
The governor’s spokesman, Sharafuddin Majidi, said they had not received any complaints so far. A delegation would be sent to the area to investigate the issue and bring violators of law to justice.
Majidi said policemen, supposed to serve people, received enough salaries and would not be allowed to take bribes.