NELLORE: In a shocking incident, a 24-year-old woman was attacked with acid and struck with a knife on her head by a man at Perampalle in Gurramkonda mandal of Annamayya district on Friday. The woman was attacked at her house, when her parents were away.
According to reports, the woman, identified as Gauthami, recently completed her degree and was running a beauty salon in Madanapalle. She was engaged to Srikanth from Pileru, and was to get married on April 29.
The accused, Ganesh from Ammacheruvumitta, had allegedly been harassing Gauthami and persuading her to marry him. On Friday, he forcefully entered into Gauthami’s house, struck her with a knife on the head, and then poured acid on her face before fleeing.
On hearing the commotion, neighbours rushed to the spot and immediately shifted the woman to Madanapalle government hospital. The State government has arranged for her transfer to Bengaluru for advanced medical care.
On receiving information about the incident, police swiftly traced Ganesh and arrested him within 15 minutes. It has been learnt that after attacking Gauthami, Ganesh consumed pesticide. He is also undergoing treatment at a hospital and is under police custody. He will be shifted to the police station after recovering.
Gauthami’s family assured of all support
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has strongly condemned the acid attack on the young woman and directed authorities to take strict action against the accused.
He assured Gauthami’s family that she would receive the best medical treatment and complete support from the government.
Rayachoti MLA and Transport and Youth Affairs Minister Mandipalli Ram Prasad Reddy condemned the attack, asserting that strict action would be taken to prevent such crimes. He visited the victim at the hospital, along with local MLA Shahjahan Basha, Superintendent of Police V Vidya Sagar Naidu, and TDP in-charge Jayachandra Reddy.
IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh also enquired about Gauthami’s health and stressed that the government would bear all medical expenses. Gurramkonda police have registered a case and are investigating it.
Jagan flays govt over women’s safety
YSRCP President and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also condemned the attack on the woman and demanded the government to take stringent action against the accused. He urged the authorities to ensure best medical treatment for Gauthami and urged the government to provide full support to her family. He criticised the government’s failure to ensure women’s safety, stating that such incidents were occurring due to negligence.