Bhubaneswar: With an objective to create awareness among the people against the heinous crime of acid attack on girls and women, a marathon 'STOP-A-THON' was organised at Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Women and Child Development (W&CD) Minister Prafulla Samal flagged off the marathon at Kalinga Stadium which covered nearly 4 kms in the city. DGP RP Sharma and Commissioner of Police YB Khurania and other dignitaries were also present during the event.
Acid attack survivors including Pramodini Roul, Manini Bisoi also participated in the awareness marathon.
"The marathon aims at creating awareness among people against acid attacks and bringing the acid attack survivors to mainstream. Further the department aims to ensure stringent punishment against the acid attackers"
------W&CD Minister Prafulla Samal
'STOP-A-THON' event was organised by two social organisations- A New Hope and Institute for Social Development.
"We also aim to keep a track of the women who have suffered acid attacks, provide security and rehabilitate them. Among the 59 women, 11 acid attack survivors who have come forward will be provided houses in the first phase so that they can lead their life with dignity. Their medical expenditure will be borne by the Government," added the W&CD Minister.
The marathon was organised to recognize the acid attack survivors across the State and create a rehabilitation centre where they can be provided with financial support, legal and mental support.
The objective of the event was to bring people together to inform them about the increasing rate of acid attack incidents and their impact on the lives of survivors.
"We have a database of 59 acid attack cases from across the State so far. However, we cannot say that the crime can be contained fully and the number won't increase to 60 cases. But we can at least try to bring in a change by creating awareness against the crime. Though 13 acid attack cases were reported last year, we have the data of only two cases while information about 11 cases is not available with us"
----acid attack survivor Pramodini
A zumba dance session, performance by Odissi dancers and other cultural performances kept the audience and participants on their feet during the event. An interactive session with the acid attack survivors was also organised during the event.