New Delhi: Acid was hurled at a 30-year-old woman doctor at a crowded market in the national capital yesterday morning by two motorcycle-borne assailants, police said.
Amrita Kaur, employed with an Employees State Insurance (ESI) hospital, was attacked around 9.30am in west Delhi’s Rajouri Garden area. The unidentified attackers also snatched her bag before speeding away, police said.
Amrita Kaur was heading towards the ESI hospital in Bali Nagar area, barely a few kilometres from the spot. The woman was riding her two-wheeler when she was attacked, a police official said.
According to the official, Amrita Kaur received 45 percent burn injuries on the right side of her face and head. The acid also affected her right eye.
She was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where she was said to be out of danger. In her statement to police, Amrita Kaur said: “Two people on a motorcycle approached me when I stopped my two-wheeler at a place to attend to a phone call. One of them threw acid on my head when I resisted their attempt to snatch my hand bag.”
Police suspect robbery as the main reason behind the attack but have not ruled other motives.
They said they would examine CCTV footage of the incident and the culprits will be arrested soon.
The woman is a native of Punjab who lives in Hari Nagar area with her brother. She got engaged eight months ago. At least 50 victims of acid attacks staged a protest at the incident spot and outside the Rajouri Garden police station after yesterday’s attack.
Acid attacks have long plagued India, often targeting women in public places as a form of revenge linked to dowry or land disputes or a man’s advances spurned.
Attacks on women have been on the rise with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting 309,546 crimes against women last year against 244,270 in 2012. There were 225 reported cases of acid attacks alone between 2010 and 2012. Those who survive acid attacks often face lifelong scars and social stigma. Activists say little has changed despite steps taken last year to help wipe out the scourge and improve financial aid for survivors.
The Supreme Court in July last year gave Indian states three months to enforce restrictions on the sale of acid, but campaigners say it remains easy to purchase and inexpensive. The court also said victims should get Rs300,000 in compensation, a third of it within 15 days of the assault.
Agencies
