Taliban Hits Region Seen as "Safest" for Afghans

In resent months the Taliban has been moving into areas thought to be safer than the provinces that are normally victim to violence and unrest in Afghanistan. Bamian, one of the prettiest areas in Afghanistan and thought to have been one of the safest, is now threatened and scared of the appearance of the Taliban in the area. At night the Taliban come out of the mountains and kills and robs not only travelers but local officials also. For months they have been causing havoc in the area from destroying over a thousand year old statues to setting school on fire. People are scared to got o work and use the roads in and out of the province. From that citizen have gathered in protest and to demand action to be taken. They see it as the Taliban trying to do this to make it clear that they are still strong and have the ability to go all over the country. Others also see it as a positive thing by saying that they are being forced into these safer places. Either way, it is dangerous and sad to see that now even the once thought safe places in a dangerous country no longer exist. Michele Dobbs http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/31/world/asia/taliban-hits-region-seen-as-safest-for-afghans.html?pagewanted=2&ref=world&_r=0