"A total of 77 students, seven teachers, five parents and an employee of Faizabad Girl School in Kabod Ab area of Sancharak district were poisoned but the condition of affected people is stable," Saripulit told Xinhua without providing more details.

The official added that an investigation had been initiated into the incident.

In the meantime, Mahnaz, mother of an affected student has condemned the incident and called upon the provincial administration to identify and bring to justice those behind the crime.

The father of another student, Ali Agha Karbalai, described the number of affected students as high as 80 saying he is praying for an early recovery of his daughter.

According to villagers, 87 persons including 80 affected students had been taken to hospital on Sunday.

(With UNI inputs)