Dubious distinction: Uttar Pradesh leads in acid attacks

LUCKNOW: As per the latest data from the national crime record bureau (NCRB), acid attack cases have witnessed a rise of over 9% in the country, in the last one year. The maximum cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh.

According to NCRB, a total of 222 incidents were reported in the country, out of which 55 were reported in UP alone. This second place in this list of shame has been bagged by West Bengal, where 39 incidents were reported. New Delhi stood third with 21 incidents in 2015.

While the total number of acid attacks was marginally lower in 2014, the ranking of states remains the same. According to the 2014 report, 203 acid attacks were reported and UP took the lead with 42 incidents, followed by West Bengal, which saw 39 cases. In Delhi, 20 incidents were reported in 2014, as per the report.

As expected, many of these attacks affected more than a single person. In 2015, while 222 incidents were reported, there were 249 victims. In addition, 46 attempted acid attacks also happened in the same year. In UP, where 55 incidents impacted 61 lives, 11 attempted acid attacks were reported.

“The trend of acid attack has certainly witnessed a rise. A look at incidents across the country highlights that these attacks are not just limited to women attacked by jilted lovers and husbands. Acid is being used among men to settle personal rivalries too,” said Alok Dixit, a leading member of ‘Stop Acid Attack’ – a countrywide campaign. As per NCRB, 15 acid attacks were reported in Bihar, 14 each in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, 10 in Haryana, seven each in Kerala and Maharashtra, eight each in Odisha and Tamil Nadu, four each in Tripura and Gujarat, three in Assam and one each in Telangana and Rajasthan. Pleasantly, there are several places in the country where no incidents were reported in 2015.

A TOTAL OF 222 INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED IN THE COUNTRY, OUT OF WHICH 55 WERE REPORTED IN UP ALONE