CM visits acid attack survivor, orders care and security for her
Chief minister Aditya Nath Yogi on Friday visited the acid attack survivor, undergoing treatment at King George’s Medical University here, and directed officials to provide proper care and security to her and her family.
The victim was on way to Lucknow from Unchahar in the Ganga-Gomti Express on Thursday when she attacked and forced to drink acid by two men, who had some years back allegedly gang raped her and even attacked her with acid. Property dispute is purportedly the cause of the attacks to bring the victim and her family into submission.
“Provide treatment with utmost care and priority,” the CM told KGMU vice-chancellor Prof Ravi Kant at the Gandhi Ward where the woman was admitted. The government also gave ₹1 lakh assistance to the victim, who works at Lucknow’s Sheroes Hangout Café.
The two attackers were on Friday arrested from Rae Bareli. Also, four RPF constables were suspended for negligence in duty.
Rita Bahuguna Joshi, women and family welfare minister, and Swati Singh, women welfare and maternal and child welfare minister, also met the victim and her family and assured all support.
“Security of women is top priority of the present government. The woman and her 15-year-old daughter will be given security,” said Joshi. According to doctors, the woman sustained injuries in the lower jaw and chin area inside the mouth and near the lower part of the tongue.
“Right now the focus is to stabilise her, which might take a few more days. We shall then study the damage to internal organs, particularly the esophagus. Further treatment will be planned as investigations are done,” said Prof Kant.
A Government Railway Police (GRP) team on Friday brought the two accused, Bhondu Singh and Guddu Singh, to Lucknow after their arrest from Unchahar, Rae Bareli. They will be produced before a court for further legal proceedings on Saturday.
SP of GRP (Lucknow) Vinod Kumar said an FIR of IPC 326 A (for acid attack) and SC/ST Act (for atrocities against a scheduled caste and scheduled tribe person) has been registered against the two accused on the application of the victim’s husband.
The victim’s husband said she had gone to her home in Unchahar on March 10 as her daughter had her Class 10 examination. She was returning to resume her work at the cafe when she was attacked.
The crime came to light when the woman got off the train at Charbagh station here, scribbled her plight on a piece of paper and gave it to the GRP. She wrote the complaint as she could not speak.
Earlier, the victim had lodged at least eight FIRs earlier against the two accused and their accomplices but they continued to roam scot-free.