Residents from the Rustaq district of northern Takhar province on Friday called on central government in Kabul to act against illegal armed men in the area.

They said that criminals associated with these groups impose illegal taxes on residents and force them to pay money.

Residents also claim that these men killed a baby recently.

"They (illegal armed men) came and woke me up; my wife was there and my baby was sleeping in the cradle; they (armed men) hit him and martyred him," said the dead baby's father, Abdul Raqib.

Meanwhile, local officials in Takhar have said that these groups have got the support of certain elements within government.

"Qari Ilyas is their main supporter and his two sons, he (Qari Ilyas) serves as district chief and his two sons as attorneys. They have a reputation at the police headquarters," said another resident Abdul Nabi.

"They took my possessions and imprisoned my son," said another resident Sayed Abdul Wadood.

"The guy named Zia tortured my family. He is the son of Qari Ilyas, he serves as an attorney," another resident said.

"Some of the illegal armed men are supported by elements from inside government. I hope that these individuals are identified and the issue needs to be curbed soon," said Farid Zaki, deputy Takhar governor.