Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 1: Swapna lost her husband a year back. She lives at Kodimbala, Kadala taluk, with her three daughters. She came under acid attack on January 23 this year.

Recounting the turn of events, she said that her husband's younger brother, Jayanand Naik, splashed acid on her from the window even as she was holding her baby and playing with it. "I and my child were suffering from burns inflicted in the acid attack and he did not heed to my request and wails of my child, and blocked the exit door," she explained.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA D Vedavyas Kamath and DC Sindhu B Rupesh at acid attack victim’s rehabilitation

Swapna entirely depends on income from a small farm she has. Jayanand often used to sexually harass her and fight with her on the issue of land dispute. Swapna did not attach too much importance to these fights. On January 23, he came to her house, and incited her through some remarks. When she saw out of the house from inside, he came nearer, and tossed acid at her through the window, which burnt her face, neck, chest, and arm. The child too suffered injuries to its face, she explained.

Swapna's face has been burnt completely and she has lost sight in her left eye. She is consuming only juice and water now, and is unable to speak.

As there is no vehicle facility near her home, she said she called Kadaba police station for help as the accused was blocking her way. But the police wanted her to come to police station and file complaint. "After my brother-in-law left, I took my child and walked two km and reached Kodimbala government hospital. From there, they sent me to Puttur and Mangaluru hospitals," she explained.

She said after registering complaint, the police asked her to bring witnesses. She wondered with choked voice how can she go searching for witnesses at a time when she needs to undergo treatment in the hospital. She said that her two elder children, aged 6 and 3, are unable to attend their school at Kadaba as they are now in her parental home in Kasargod.

Addressing a press conference, leaders of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Durga Vehini, Matru Shakti and Chilimbi Om Shree Math, have urged the government to arrange to hold investigation in a fast track court and see that the accused is punished at the earliest. Om Vidyananda Saraswathi Swamiji said that the person concerned has been accused of attacking the lady on property matters but also pointed out that he has been accused of sexual harassment too. Praveen Kuthar, district convener of Bajrang Dal, said that Vishwa Hindu Parisad and Bajrang Dal will disburse one lac rupees to the distressed woman.

District in-charge minister, Kota Srinivas Poojary, who met the lady on Friday, said that he would recommend relief from Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the maximum extent at the earliest. District Women and Child Welfare department officer Usman, said that for victims suffering maximum injuries in such cases, there is provision to get maximum of eight lac rupees as compensation.

MLA D Vedavyas Kamath and deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, Sindhu B Rupesh were present.

A bank account in the name of the victim has been opened in State Bank of India, Chilimbi branch, Mangaluru to enable willing persons to extend financial help to the woman.

Account name: Swapna
Account No: 20494114947
IFSC code: SBIN0040954
Bank Name: State Bank of India, Chilimbi branch, Mangaluru