Protests erupt in Iran as schoolgirls fall sick in a wave of suspected poison attacks

The protesting parents claimed that the schoolgirls might have been poisoned with chemicals by hardline Islamist groups who are opposed to girls’ education. The fresh incidents have come to fore after country-wide protests erupted in Iran against the death of a young Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini (22), in custody.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi directed the Interior Ministry to investigate the matter, calling it “the enemy’s conspiracy to create fear.” Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated on Saturday that investigators collected “suspicious samples” that were being analyzed, according to Reuters.

As per media reports, some politicians blamed hardline groups for the attacks. On the other hand, some activists accuse the Iranian government of poisoning the girls in retaliation for their involvement in the anti-government and anti-hijab rallies following Amini’s death.

Incidents reported since November

According to Bloomberg, “unexplained illnesses” in such schoolgirls have been observed since November last year. The so-far unexplained illnesses have affected hundreds of schoolgirls in recent months. Iranian officials believe the girls may have been poisoned and have blamed Tehran’s enemies, reported Reuters. It is said at least 300 girls in over a dozen cities had been treated for various symptoms of unknown origin. Local media stated that around 120 girls were treated for nausea, exhaustion, and dizziness in Hamedan and Kabudarahang provinces. Poisonings in girls’ schools have also been recorded in five cities around Tehran, including Eslamshahr, Shahriar, and Robat Karim.

UN calls for transparent investigation

Further, the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva sought a transparent inquiry into the suspected chemical attack on Friday. “We are very concerned about these allegations that girls are being deliberately targeted under what appear to be mysterious circumstances,” spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters. Germany and the United States have also expressed their worry over the situation. Meanwhile, Iran has condemned what it sees as foreign involvement and “hasty reactions” and said that it is studying the reasons for the illnesses.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM

India, China hold crucial meet to resolve issues along LAC

New Delhi: The 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held in Beijing to discuss and resolve the remaining issues along the...

India summons US envoy, day after ‘unwarranted’ remarks on Delhi CM’s arrest

New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and took strong objection to his remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asking...

India comes out in support of Manila after Beijing’s action in South China Sea

Manila: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that India firmly supports the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty after the latter lodged "strongest protest" against Chinese action in...

PM Modi speaks to Ukraine Prez Zelensky, supports early end to conflict

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and conveyed India’s consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to...

PM Modi’s Bhutan visit postponed due to weather conditions

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to Bhutan on March 21-22 has been postponed due to ongoing inclement weather conditions, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on...

‘Can’t be my way or highway’: India slams UFC model on UNSC reforms

United Nations: India on Tuesday slammed the Uniting for Consensus (UFC) model on UNSC reforms, citing that it won't empower Africa or Global South nations or change permanent seat membership....

India, US paving way for free, prosperous Indo-Pacific: Envoy Garcetti

New Delhi: US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said India and America are paving the way for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific as he hailed the ongoing joint exercise between the...

India opposes introducing a ‘special envoy’ to combat Islamophobia at UN

United Nations: Calling India "a proud champion of pluralism," India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj opposed the establishment of the post of "special envoy" on a special religion at the United...

US remarks on CAA ‘misplaced, misinformed, unwarranted’: India

New Delhi: India on Friday rejected the US State Department's "concerns" regarding the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and termed it as "misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted" Asserting that...

Arunachal Pradesh is ‘integral and inalienable part’ of India: MEA responds to China

New Delhi: Stating that Arunachal Pradesh will always remain its "integral and inalienable part", India on Tuesday rejected comments made by China on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to...

India assails ‘disguised veto’ at UNSC anti-terrorism panel protecting Pakistan-based terrorists

United Nations: India has assailed the secretive "subterranean" working of the Security Council sanctions committee on terrorism, accusing it of allowing a system of "disguised veto" in blocking the listing...

India, Bangladesh border officials agree to settle issues ‘amicably’

Dhaka: Curbing trans-border crimes, human trafficking, and enhanced joint-patrolling were some of the issues discussed at the 54th India-Bangladesh Director General-level border coordination conference from March 5-9 in Dhaka. While...

Read Previous

Principal lands in a soup for ‘I Love Manish Sisodia’ banner

Read Next

Swiss envoy summoned, protest lodged over anti-India posters in Geneva

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com