SAR-E-PUL (SW) – The Taliban rebels have closed down 13 schools for girls in Sar-e-Pul’s Sancharak district.
Naqibullah Daqiq, district governor, told Salam Watandar the rebels have enforced new regulations forcing families not to send their girls to schools beyond primary level. He added the Taliban have also warned women against coming out of their homes, and have directed men to grow beard. They have also warned the locals against receiving food aid.
Among the schools closed down include three high-schools and 10 primary and middle-schools. Daqiq said at least 2000 girls have been deprived of education with the closure of the schools.
Syed Asadullah Danish, deputy chairman of the provincial council, has expressed concerns over the growing clout of the Taliban in the district. He acknowledged the rebels have imposed their self-styled regulations in Sancharak after an evident increase in their activities here. He warned the government's inaction towards the growing influence of the Taliban would result in negative results.
Meanwhile, head of the directorate of education, Abdul Ghafoor, said six primary schools have been reopened after mediation by the local elders. He acknowledged the rebels have only allowed the girls to study up till class six in the district.
However, Qari Yosuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, has discarded such reports.
Findings by SW indicate the rebels have clout over six villages in Sancharak where they killed 70 members of the uprising force last year.
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