Bhubaneswar: A multifarious programme was organised here Saturday to create awareness about acid attacks and to draw government attention towards the plight of victims of such heinous crimes.
We the Road Queens and Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) organized an event at Kalinga Stadium to fight and work against acid attacks and regulate acid sale by implementing Poisons Sale Act 1919.
A bike rally was organized from Barabati Stadium in Cuttack to Kalinga Stadium to draw government attention towards the acid attack victims and to implement Poisons Sale Act to curb irregular sale of acid. It is our responsibility too to make the society a better, safer place to live in, said Sangeeta Sahoo, a member of We the Road Queens, and biker.
Actress Archita Sahoo said that acid attack is a heinous crime and sale of this should be totally banned.
At the Kalinga Stadium, a dance drama was organized where the life story of acid attack survivor Pramodini Roul was staged. A special bike ramp walk was also held.
The rally was the concluding part of the 55-day campaign against acid attacks launched by Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) in association with We the Road Queens, a women bikers’ group, and Chav Foundation here last December. .
In the state alone, there have been 59 confirmed cases of acid attacks over 18 years. “Unfortunately, the aid of the state government for the survivors continues to elude them,” said one of the organizers. This apart, despite the Supreme Court ruling, acid is being sold in many places unchecked.
Stressing the rampant sale of acid as the prime reason for the attacks, the team of bikers had travelled various districts during the period and sensitized the acid sellers (vendors) by making them aware of the rules laid down by the Supreme Court, said biker Sangeeta, who is also the Founder of ISR.
Citing the apex court’s guidelines on the sale of acids, Sangeeta pointed out that the item can be sold to those who have crossed 18 years of age. “Secondly, a government-issued self attested photo identity card with a statement of purpose of usage has to be submitted to the vendor,” she added. The seller should submit the details of sale to the local police within three days of the transaction and no acid should be sold to any person under 18. All acid stocks must be declared with the local sub-divisional magistrate in 15 days and undeclared stocks could be confiscated and the defaulter may be liable to a fine of up to Rs 50,000.
Sangeeta said that the campaign had seen more than 20 bikers in three groups travelling across all the 30 districts where they had organized rallies and created awareness about the sale of acid.
As per the Supreme Court’s ruling in May 2013, while hearing a case of Delhi-based acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, the state governments should grant Rs 3 lakh compensation to the acid attack victims and provide free medical treatment to them. However, many who had suffered acid attack prior to 2013 have not received any compensation till date, said one of the members.
“There are many poor girls who are unable to step out of their houses. All of them should be rehabilitated and provided with jobs as per their qualification,” said acid attack survivor Pramodini Roul.