April 19, 2012

About 150 Afghan schoolgirls were poisoned after drinking contaminated water at a high school in the country's north, officials said, blaming it on conservative radicals opposed to female education. Since the 2001 toppling of the Taliban, which banned education for women and girls, females have returned to schools, especially in Kabul. But periodic attacks still occur against girls, teachers, and their school buildings. "We are 100 percent sure that the water they drank inside their classes was poisoned. This is either the work of those who are against girls' education or irresponsible armed individuals," said Jan Mohammad Nabizada, a spokesman for the education department in northern Takhar province. Some of the 150 girls, who suffered from headaches and vomiting, were in critical condition, while others were able to go home after treatment in hospital, the officials said. They said they knew the water had been poisoned because a larger tank used to fill the affected water jugs was not contaminated. None of the officials blamed any particular group for the attack, fearing retribution from anyone named. In the U.S., the Republican National Committee denied any involvement and said this action was not part of their ongoing war on women. Their spokesman reiterated that they have focused their efforts against American women, though they do much admire Taliban methods and the way they treat women.