Residents of Bamyan say the Taliban have removed a statue of a Hazara leader declared a national martyr by the former government.
According to the French news agency AFP, residents warned on Thursday that the move could lead to violence.
The statue is of Abdul Ali Mazari, a leader of the Shia minority who was killed during the Taliban's first term.
The statue's head was blown up with a rocket launcher after the Taliban returned to power in August.
Residents of a central Afghan city blame the Taliban.
The Taliban's strict interpretation of Islam forbids the depiction of human form in paintings and sculptures - and pictures are printed only when absolutely necessary.
Many businessmen have removed or covered public billboards and posters since the Taliban came to power.
According to Abdul Danshiar, a civil society activist in Bamyan, "yesterday they completely removed the statue and replaced it with a copy of the Qur'an."
"They are trying to erase history from Bamiyan. The people will react violently."
The Taliban blew up two large 1,500-year-old Buddha statues in Bamiyan in 2001.
A statue of Abdul Ali Mazari was erected in Bamyan's main square, where the Taliban blew up two large 1,500-year-old Buddha statues before the 2001 US-led invasion.
Abdul Danshiar further said that the square named after Abdul Ali Mazari has been renamed as 'Military Street'.
Abdul Ali Shafaq, a member of Bamyan's provincial council, told AFP he would talk to Taliban officials and urge them to reverse the move.
"It's a very sensitive issue," he said. There could be a backlash.
Abdul Ali Mazari, the leader of an anti-Taliban militia, was killed in 1995 after being taken prisoner by the Taliban.
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