Delhi: Acid attack survivors stage protest march, plan to meet PM Modi

Acid attack survivors from across the country were sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, asking the government to regulate the open sale of acid, after a woman fell prey to a chemical attack in Delhi's Rajouri Garden on Tuesday.

Acid attack survivors from across the country were sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, asking the government to regulate the open sale of acid, after a woman fell prey to a chemical attack in Delhi's Rajouri Garden on Tuesday.

Acid attack survivors and volunteers of Stop Acid Attacks also organised a protest march at the spot where the incident happened on Tuesday.

"We are here to mark this place as a spot of shame because when that girl was attacked no one came to help her. She was shouting for help but it was only after a while that some people finally took her to the hospital. Not just the accused, but the bystanders and also the government are equally responsible for this brutal act," said Ritu Saini, another acid attack survivor.

Saini has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union minister Rajnath Singh to strictly regulate the sale of acid.

"The sad part here is that people who are also the first respondents know nothing about the methods to help the victim in such cases. With stricter laws and community training we can reduce these attacks to a great extent," said Alok Dixit, the founder of the NGO, which has been working with acid attack survivors.

As part of the vigorous campaign against the growing number of similar attacks in the capital, volunteers conducted a survey of over 30 chemical stores in the city to ascertain the availability of acid and other corrosive substances.

Dixit revealed that in two out of every three shops these chemicals are easily available.

After a protest at the crime spot, the volunteers organized a gathering outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where the victim is currently admitted. They are likely to submit a detailed list of demands for effective rehabilitation of acid attack victims to the prime minister by next week.