MADURAI: Two college girls suffered burn s in an acid attack by a motorbike-borne assailant when they were walking from their institution in Tirumangalam here towards the bus stand on Friday afternoon.
The culprit targeted U Meena (17), a first year BA English Literature student of the Madurai Kamaraj University’s (MKU) constituent college in Tirumangalam. She suffered burns on the right side of her face and hand, while
S Angala Easwari (18), a second year student from the same department who was walking with her, suffered injuries on her left shoulder.
Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) dean B Shanta Kumar said Meena suffered 25 to 30 per cent burns while Easwari’s injuries were minor. He said both students were safe and there was no risk of Meena losing her eyesight due to the burns.
A police officer hinted that the culprit was in love with Meena. He, however, added that the inquiry was still at a preliminary stage and the assumption could prove to be wrong.
Describing the incident, Priya, another student who was walking behind the victims, said the assailant, who was wearing a brown shirt, intercepted the girls on a narrow street that leads to the Tirumangalam bus stand. According to her, the man did not splash the acid on the victims and instead poured it on them. Police sources said the acid used appeared to have been diluted.
It took a few seconds for the girls to feel the burning sensation soon after which the culprit fled the spot, Priya added. Both the girls were rushed to the Tirumangalam Government Hospital by a bystander on his bike. They were later taken to the GRH.
The victims belong to Chinnapulampatti village near Peraiyur. Meena’s father, a tailor by profession, passed away just three weeks ago. Her mother works as a labourer. Easwari’s parents are farmers. While Meena was not in a condition to speak to the police, Easwari reportedly said she had never seen the culprit before. Meena’s mother Murugeswari said she was not aware of any issues her daughter faced in the college.
South Zone IG Abhay Kumar Singh said a special team has been formed to nab the culprit.