Darayim Residents In Badakhshan Protest Against Taliban Over Poppy Field Destruction

Residents of Darayim district in Badakhshan province protested against the Taliban again on Wednesday, due to the destruction of poppy fields by the group.

Local residents told Afghanistan International that Taliban fighters fired at the protestors, injuring four people.

So far, Taliban officials have not commented on the incident.

Videos sent by locals to Afghanistan International show protestors chanting slogans against the Taliban leader.

Protestors claimed that the Taliban responded to local protests with gunfire. In the videos received, gunfire can be heard.

They said that the Taliban entered the area with considerable force.

This is not the first time residents of Darayim have protested. Previously, clashes between the Taliban and farmers in Darayim and Argo district of Badakhshan, resulted in several protestors being killed.

The protests by these residents prompted the Taliban to send a delegation led by Fasihuddin Fitrat, the group's Chief of Staff of army, to Badakhshan to prevent the protests from spreading.

However, locals stated they would not stop protesting until non-native Taliban members left Badakhshan.

Previously, local residents had accused the Taliban of entering people's homes and harassing them.