Keralite Vlogger's Arrest Claim in Afghanistan Raises Questions About Women's Travel Rights

PTI could not independently verify Arunima's claims, but she shared a translation of an official communication from local authorities. According to which she had been arrested for violating the law.

Arunima's Initial Claims and Denial of Permit

Arunima, a Keralite vlogger who runs the Facebook page Backpacker Arunima, said that she was arrested in Bamyan, Afghanistan, because she was traveling alone. She had earlier been denied a permit in Jalalabad due to her solo travel.

According to her account, the authorities told her that she had violated the law and would be arrested if she didn't obtain a permit and travel with a guide. Arunima shared she became extremely frightened after being informed of this and contacted a man who had earlier helped her reach Bamyan. Who spoke to the authorities on her behalf.

Official Communication and Translation

Arunima shared what she described as a translation of an official communication from local authorities. According to which she had been arrested for violating the law. However, PTI could not independently verify this information.

Planned Travel Route and Fear of Attack

Arunima shared that she planned to travel around 500 kilometres towards the Uzbekistan border and expected to encounter several checkpoints on the way. She expressed fear that something might happen to her during her journey. Which prompted her to post an Instagram story hoping for help.

Previous Posts and Contact with Indian Embassy

In an earlier post, Arunima sought help to contact the Indian embassy, saying, "I am in trouble in Afghanistan. I am in Bamyan."

Background on Afghan Travel Laws

The laws regarding women's travel in Afghanistan are complex and often restrictive. According to local authorities, a woman cannot travel alone without a permit.

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Official Reactions and Upcoming Developments

Arunima's claims have sparked controversy and raised questions about the treatment of women travelers in Afghanistan. The Indian embassy has not commented on Arunima's situation, but authorities are expected to provide further guidance in the coming days.

Key Background and Context

A Keralite woman travel vlogger, who had earlier claimed that she was arrested "According to the law of this country, a woman cannot travel alone," the vlogger, who runs the Facebook page Backpacker Arunima, said in a fresh social media post. She added that she had earlier been denied a permit in Jalalabad because she was travelling alone.

The authorities in Bamyan told her that she had violated the law and would be arrested, the vlogger said. Recounting the incident, she shared she reached Bamyan around 7 pm and was questioned about her passport, visa and permit. She became extremely frightened after being told that she had violated the law.

So she contacted a man who had earlier helped her reach Bamyan. And he spoke to the authorities on her behalf, the vlogger said. According to her account, the authorities insisted that she obtain a permit and travel with a guide.

She shared she was eventually allowed to proceed towards the next country after discussions. "I had to go through all this only because I am a woman," the vlogger said, adding that she planned to travel around 500 kilometres towards the Uzbekistan border and expected to encounter several checkpoints on the way.

The woman said she was extremely frightened and feared that something might happen to her. And hence posted an Instagram story hoping that someone would come to her rescue. In an earlier post, she had sought help to contact the Indian embassy, saying, "I am in trouble in Afghanistan.

I am in Bamyan." In the post. She had also shared what she described as a translation of an official communication from local authorities. According to which she had been arrested PTI could not independently verify her claims.

A Keralite woman travel vlogger, who had earlier claimed that she was arrested "According to the law of this country, a woman cannot travel alone," the vlogger, who runs the Facebook page Backpacker Arunima, said in a fresh social media post. She added that she had earlier been denied a permit in Jalalabad because she was travelling alone.

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The authorities in Bamyan told her that she had violated the law and would be arrested, the vlogger said. Recounting the incident, she shared she reached Bamyan around 7 pm and was questioned about her passport, visa and permit. She became extremely frightened after being told that she had violated the law.

So she contacted a man who had earlier helped her reach Bamyan. And he spoke to the authorities on her behalf, the vlogger said. According to her account, the authorities insisted that she obtain a permit and travel with a guide.

She shared she was eventually allowed to proceed towards the next country after discussions. "I had to go through all this only because I am a woman," the vlogger said, adding that she planned to travel around 500 kilometres towards the Uzbekistan border and expected to encounter several checkpoints on the way.

The woman said she was extremely frightened and feared that something might happen to her. And hence posted an Instagram story hoping that someone would come to her rescue. In an earlier post, she had sought help to contact the Indian embassy, saying, "I am in trouble in Afghanistan.

I am in Bamyan." In the post. She had also shared what she described as a translation of an official communication from local authorities. According to which she had been arrested PTI could not independently verify her claims.