Civil society wants Buddha statues repaired

BAMIYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Condemning the destruction of Buddha statues during the Taliban activists held a rally in central Bamyan province for their rehabilitation.

The two Buddha statues, having a 1600 years old history, were dynamited by the Taliban during their regime. They had been a major draw for tourists.

Statue Salsal with 55 metres height and Shamama — 33 metres tall — were built in a mountain in the northern part of Bamyan City, the provincial capital.

Elder Muhammad Nabi Ali Zada said: “Monuments have a cultural and historical value for a county but, unfortunately, Taliban took the extreme step of blowing up our historical sites.”

Fourteen years on, the government is yet to rebuild the statues. He urged the government to direct the departments concerned to rebuild the statues, which would attract more tourists.

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