A shopkeeper named Ghulam Mohammad told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban had warned the people to close the bazaar until the elections were held. There are a total of 340 shops in the bazaar closed down three days ago.
Government officials, meanwhile, instructed the shopkeepers to reopen their shops; otherwise they would be fined. A resident of Merai village, Hayatullah, said three he bought necessary items for his family days ago, but they were currently faced with a shortage of edibles due to closure of the bazaar.
A member of the provincial council, Dr. Ghani Bahadari, confirmed the bazaar had been shut. He said both the government and Taliban were creating problems for civilians. He added the Taliban had warmed residents against visiting the bazaar before the elections took place.
Two weeks ago, Taliban distributed night letters in Qarabagh district, saying all the roads leading to the bazaar would be blocked before the elections.
