Acid attack survivors in Odisha still hounded by tormentors

Cuttack: Acid attack survivors of Berhampur and Kalahandi, who are yet to come to terms with the brutality meted out to them, are still grappling with the violence of their tormentors. These survivors, still undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College in Cuttack, are putting up with threats from their tormentors who are roaming free.

"My husband has been torturing me mentally and physically. He has threatened to kill me several times," said a woman from Berhampur who was attacked with acid by her husband.

Her kin alleged that the accused is roaming free at the behest of police and continues to threaten the victim.

"Police have set him free. We are living in a state of fear as they have threatened to kill my daughter and other family members," mother of the Berhampur victim said.

Similar allegation has been brought by the family of another acid attack survivor from Kalahandi. They claimed that the accused continues to threaten the victim and police are acting as mute spectators. "We have lodged a complaint against the accused who threw acid on my daughter. He has already spoiled her life. Now, he is threatening to kill my younger daughter. We are helpless," father of the Kalahandi acid attack survivor said.

Meanwhile, Police claims that measures are being taken to rehabilitate the survivors and punish the guilty. "We are mulling to treat the incidents as Red Flag cases so that the accused can be convicted in court. Measures are also being taken to rehabilitate the victims as per the comprehensive policy -2017 of the State government," IG Asit Panigrahi said.