Dozens of shopkeepers gathered in front of the Kabul governor’s office on Monday and accused the police of having a “double standard” when it comes to the business activities of merchants and shopkeepers, saying the police allow those shopkeepers who pay them money to stay open despite the lockdown.
They said that police allow some businesses to continue their work if the businesses pay them.
Footage received by TOLOnews shows dozens of grocery sellers in Kabul’s main market carrying on like it is business as usual without considering the lockdown rules.
“These people who are lining up here are compelled to come out of their homes. They say that there is a virus, but if the virus does not kill the people, hunger will kill them,” said protester Gul Akbar.
“The law needs to be applied equally to all, there shouldn’t be bribery,’ said Mirwais, a shopkeeper.
“Several markets were doing business as usual in exchange for money, but other (businessmen) perhaps do not have enough money to (to pay to police) to open their shops,” said Emal, a shopkeeper.
“The shopkeepers gathered in front of the Kabul governor’s office, then were asked to go to Darul Aman and meet the governor directly, and we hardly managed to meet him,” said Mohammad Sarwar, a shopkeeper.
Over the past few weeks many police personnel have been accused of extortion.
Acting Minister of Interior Massoud Andarabi on Sunday told senators that 1,200 police personnel have been referred to the Attorney General for corruption.
