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Official: Almost 80 Schoolgirls Poisoned, Hospitalized In Northern Afghanistan


Afghan schoolgirls attend an open-air primary school in Khogyani district of Nangarhar Province.
Afghan schoolgirls attend an open-air primary school in Khogyani district of Nangarhar Province.

Nearly 80 girls were poisoned and hospitalized in two separate attacks at their primary schools in Sar-e Pul Province in northern Afghanistan, a local education official said on June 4. It is thought to be the first time this kind of assault has happened since the Taliban swept to power in August 2021 and began their crackdown on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls. Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade. The education official said the person who orchestrated the poisoning had a personal grudge but did not elaborate. To read the original story by AP, click here.

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