November 02, 2007	Friday	Shawwal 20, 1428

KOHAT, Nov 1: The local Taliban in virtual control of the semi-autonomous tribal area of Darra Adam Khel, have started charging trucks carrying coal from a local mine Rs1,000, netting them between Rs12,000 and Rs15,000 a day.

They have restricted wedding processions to three vehicles and banned firing in the air during ceremonies, and announced a fine of Rs50,000 for people spending lavishly on weddings and other ceremonies.

The Taliban ‘levy’ on coal leaving tribal areas is an extra burden on the contractor who has to pay Rs 37,000 a day to the tribe, Rs7,000 to the political administration and Rs11,000 to the mineral department.

The Taliban recently launched an operation against a gang of criminals and killed its leader. Now, the tribal administration appears to have handed over the control of the Frontier Region of Kohat to them.

They are demanding closure of girls’ schools and ban on film and music business and cable television service.