Speakers tell discussion

Speakers at a discussion here on Saturday said refusal to proposals of love or marriage and altercation over land are among the main reasons of acid violence and all forms of such violence occur for such incidents.

Miscreants use acid as a weapon for taking retaliation on their rivals, they said, adding, all should follow the acid selling and purchasing rules completely to resist the violence.

Prothom Alo, a leading national vernacular daily, organised the discussion on 'Rehabilitation of the acid burnt women and awareness' at the Sirajganj College auditorium in the town.

Presided over by Sub-Editor of the daily and Coordinator of Prothom Alo Assistance Fund for Acid Burnt Women Ferdaus Foysal, the programme was attended by Dr Samanta Lal Sen, surgeon and Burn Unit chief of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and adviser of the assistance fund, as the chief guest.

The speakers said an acid victim is likely to get back a normal life again, if he or she gets assistance from the society. Besides, a little financial assistance can change their life and make them solvent.

They called on all to become aware of acid throwers and illegal traders so that they cannot damage any potential life further.

The speakers further said Shahzadpur and Belkuchi upazilas of the district are places of high acid violence, as the upazilas are famous for loom industries in the country, adding that as acid is available here for use in the industries, people use the chemical as a weapon when they engage in family feud, they said.

Chief Executive of Persona Beauty Care Kaniz Almas Khan, Principal of Sunnydale School Tazin Ahmed, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Sirajganj Rafiqul Alam, Sirajganj Police Super Alamgir Rahman and Sharp Director Shawkat Ali also spoke at the programme.

At least 46 female acid victims were identified in the district in a survey so far. Most of them came under acid attacks at Shahzadpur and Belkuchi upazilas, the survey report revealed.

Prothom Alo at the programme gave away certificates and provide financial assistance, including 18 cows, seven sewing machines, a handloom machine, two rickshaw vans, three houses and 28 goats, for 43 female acid victims for their rehabilitation.

Kohinur Khatun, an acid victim of Solonga who got a cow for rearing, expressed her reaction to The Daily star, saying she had been leading an uncertain life after being the acid victim.

People disregard her as she has lost her facial and body charm. Nobody likes to talk to her and wants her company. But now she had found a ray of hope to survive, she added.

“I want to be a solvent woman by rearing the cow. If I become solvent, nobody will dare disregard me. I'll set up a dairy farm in future with my continuous effort”, Kohinur said.

Farzana Khatun Shova, another acid victim who got a job with the help of the daily at a beauty parlour, said she is now earning Tk 2500 per month. She wants to be a beautician in future.

Acid victims Maya Begum, Anowara Khatun and Rubi Khatun said they will try to make them solvent with these assistance. They called for putting an end to throw acid on men or women and demanded that law enforcement agencies try acid attackers in a symbolic tribunal.