BHUBANESWAR: A group of intellectuals from different stratum of the society on Friday joined hands to form a forum which will extend support for rehabilitation of acid attack victims in the State and create awareness against such brutal violence against women.Seeking support for the noble cause, social activist Renu Narula said Odisha chapter of Acid Survivors Foundation India (ASFI) will be formed to work towards preventing the scourge and erase the menace of acid violence.
Acid attacks, mainly on women and children, are increasing at an alarming rate. According to crime statistics, there has been a two-fold jump in cases of recorded during 2014 (225 victims) compared to previous years. The figure went up to 249 in 2015 in the country.Juvenile Justice Board member Namrata Chadha said while awareness and prevention campaigns can reduce such incidents, support for rehabilitation and provision for education and employment opportunity will enhance survivors’ quality of life.The forum has planned a series of interventions to deliver its goal of eradicating acid violence by ensuring that survivors live with dignity and without fear.Coordinator (Headquarters) of ASFI Dibyaloke Rai Chaudhuri informed that a lot of initiatives will be undertaken in the State after the forum gets activated by September-end. Among others, Jayashree Mohapatra, Laxmi Mohapatra and TK Panda were present.