Kerala Vlogger Arunima Claims Taliban Detained Her In Afghanistan Over Solo Travel

A Kerala-based travel vlogger who has been documenting her solo journey through Afghanistan has claimed that she was detained by Taliban members in Bamyan for travelling alone without the required permits.

The vlogger, known on social media as ‘Backpacker Arunima’, posted an SOS message seeking help in contacting the Indian embassy after what she described as her arrest by the “Mujahideen”. Nearly three hours later, she said she was allowed to continue her journey after reaching an agreement with the authorities.

Arunima Says Solo Travel Led To Detention

In an initial Facebook post, Arunima shared what she described as a translated version of an official communication informing her that she had been arrested because she did not possess an official letter.

“I am in trouble in Afghanistan. I am in Bamyan,” she wrote while seeking assistance in reaching Indian officials.

She later shared a detailed account of the incident, saying authorities in Bamyan told her that women were not permitted to travel alone under local rules.

According to Arunima, she was told that she had violated the rules by travelling without a permit and that she would be required to travel with a guide. She said permits were difficult to obtain for women travelling alone and claimed she had previously been denied one in Jalalabad for the same reason.

‘I Had To Go Through This Because I Am A Woman’

Arunima said she contacted a man who had previously helped her travel to Bamyan after she became frightened by the situation. The man, according to her account, spoke to the authorities on her behalf.

She claimed the authorities initially insisted that she obtain the necessary permit and travel accompanied by a guide.

Arunima said she subsequently informed them that she intended to leave Afghanistan and travel to Uzbekistan. She claimed she was told that she would have to pay a fine because she had remained in the country while allegedly violating the rules.

After discussions, she said, the matter was settled and she was eventually permitted to leave Afghanistan without obtaining a permit.

The vlogger contrasted her experience with that of male travellers she knew, saying they had travelled through Afghanistan without facing similar restrictions. She added that female travellers she knew had generally travelled with either a male companion or a guide.

Indian Officials Yet To Comment

Arunima’s initial post did not provide detailed information about who had detained her or the precise circumstances surrounding the alleged detention.

As per the report, Indian officials in Kabul and New Delhi had not issued an update on the matter at the time of publication.

The claims regarding the detention and the rules cited by the vlogger could not be independently verified from the information available in the report.

Vlogger Has Been Documenting Afghanistan Trip

Arunima entered Afghanistan several weeks ago and has regularly shared updates from her journey on social media.

She has also said that she chose to wear a purdah during much of her stay in the country in an effort to make travelling easier.

According to her posts, she had been stopped for checks and questioned by Taliban members on multiple occasions during her journey.

In recounting the latest incident, Arunima said she was extremely frightened during the period before her release and believed something serious could happen to her.

Her account has drawn attention to the restrictions faced by women travelling independently in Afghanistan, where she says her experience differed significantly from that of male travellers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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