Srinagar acid attack victim had picked job to support her family

Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 03-02-2022

Protest in Srinagar against acid attack

Srinagar

The 24-year old Srinagar acid attack victim had picked a job with a local beauty parlour to support her family’s meager income that came from her tailoring. Her family said they cannot afford her specialized treatment and even costly reconstruction surgery though right now they are not even sure if her eyesight is intact.

The incident has shocked people across Kashmir as protests were held in many town across the Valley demanding stringent punishment for the three accused, including a self-styled jilted lover, whose romantic offers the girl had spurned.

Protest against Acid Attack on Srinagar women, People demanding capital punishment against culprit. #AcidAttack #Srinagaracidattack #Srinagar pic.twitter.com/V7UqDa0Zyy

— Kashmir Warrior (@KashWarrior007) February 2, 2022

The family can said they cannot afford the expenses required for the plastic surgery and her treatment for reconstructing her face. Doctors at SHMS hospital have operated upon her and yet they say it’s too early to say if her eyesight is intact.

"If predators like the culprit move freely in our society then it might be impossible for our daughters to live a normal life," said the father of three daughters who lives some distance away from the victim's home.

The acid attack on Tuesday was the third such attack that occurred in J&K during the last 4 months.

Groundswell of support is coming for the 24-year-old acid victim from Srinagar after the police in a quick follow up arrested a man who threw acid on her face on Monday as she had not responded to his offer of an engagement.

District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) Srinagar has initiated the process to grant compensation to the victim who hails from a downtown locality. DLSA has appointed a legal aid counsel for the victim and her family to pursue the case in a court of law.

Srinagar’s mayor Junaid Mattu has donated his one month’s salary to the woman's family. She is admitted to the SMHS hospital for treatment where doctors have operated upon her eyes. Doctors are yet to know the real impact of the attack on her eyesight.

Mattu said he would ask the government to extend all financial help and support to the victim.

Met the parents of the young acid attack victim at SMHS Hospital today along with a DLSA and ICPS team.

Handed over my one month honorarium to the family as a humble token of my solidarity and support.

Assured continued long-term support and interacted with her medical team.

— Junaid Azim Mattu (@Junaid_Mattu) February 2, 2022

The Kashmir Police had cracked this case and arrested the main accused Sajid Rather and his accomplices in less than 48 hours of committing the heinous crime. The people across the Valley are appreciating the Jammu and Kashmir police for solving the case in a record period. Politicians like Omer Abdullah of the National Conference have congratulated the Special task Force (SIT) led by SP North Raja Zuhaib.

Well done @JmuKmrPolice for the swift response. Please ensure a water-tight case so the courts are able to hand out exemplary punishment for this heinous crime. https://t.co/FEmtkUj6Mm