GUWAHATI, March 22 - Condemning the acid attack on a lady advocate in the city on March 19, the North East Network, Asom Mahila Sangha and Young Women�s Christian Association have demanded strict punishment to the culprit through fast track trial.
In an urgent appeal to the State Chief Secretary, the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (M), the State DGP, the Assam State Commission for Women and the Assam State Legal Services Authority, the organisations also demanded adequate compensation to the victim as per the Central Victim Compensation Fund Scheme.
�In the recent past there has been an increase in the number of acid attacks against women in India. This is not the first reported case in Assam. There have been a couple of such incidents in the past. However, due to lack of awareness, fear, stigma and non-availability of services, the crime is under-reported,� said the organisations.
An acid attack or an attack with any corrosive substance like acid, is gender-based violence on women and is punishable according to sections 326 A and B of the IPC. It clearly points out that this action is a crime and is punishable by up to ten years and entails punishment for life.
�We urge the government to immediately provide relief to the aggrieved woman, as per the provisions of the Central Victim Compensation Fund Scheme, cited in the MHA guidelines dated Oct 14, 2015. It makes provision for the victim to receive a minimum amount of Rs 3 lakh. An amount of Rs 1 lakh is to be paid within the first 15 days of the attack,� said the organisations.
The Supreme Court has also ordered private hospitals to provide immediate and free treatment to the victims, apart from issuing certificates endorsing them as victims of acid attacks.
The organisations have been demanding re-activation of the Women�s helpline 1091, which has remained defunct for more than a decade.
