Cuttack: Three acid attack victims are now spending painful lives at the plastic surgery department of Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) here. Acids were thrown on these three girls in separate incidents.
Among the three victims, one is eager to return home, but facing official bottlenecks. The second victim is still in a state of panic, as her attacker is still roaming freely. The third victim has lost all her courage to return home.
The first victim, a resident of Badagada area in Ganjam district, was only 15 when a married man had thrown acid at her September 3, 2016 while she was resting in her room. The accused targeted her after she rejected his proposal for an affair.
All the burn injuries of the girl have healed up following continuous medical attention during the last 16 months. She is eager to return home, but official procedures have prevented her from doing so.
It is learnt that the SCBMCH authorities had planned to release the girl from the plastic surgery ward at a special function January 11. However, the event was cancelled after authorities concerned came to know that a lift at the plastic surgery ward had developed technical snags. It was then argued that the guests and invitees to the event would face problems to climb the stairs and the event was cancelled.
The second girl, a pathology student from Berhampur, faced acid attack from her husband over marital disputes November 16, last year. The accused is reportedly still at large. Moreover, he has allegedly sent text messages to the victim’s mobile phone to terrorise her.
The third victim, a young girl from Kalampur area of Kalahandi district, was attacked with acid by a 50-year-old stalker January 16, this year. The girl, who had nurtured a dream to become self-sufficient after completing her college education, is now reluctant to return home. She reportedly urged the officials of district legal services to arrange a sweeper’s job for her at the premier hospital.
When contacted, SCBMCH superintendent Shyama Kanungo said they have provided free medical care to the three acid attack victims. “They are absolutely safe here. We are taking steps to send the Badagada girl to her home,” she added.
PNN
