Acid Throwing

Acid Throwing

Acid is a liquid chemical compound that can burn or damage things. It is even impossible to imagine that anyone can throw this harmful substance on a human being. But the harsh reality proves that it is happening in our country. Acid throwing is a crime against humanity. Some culprits take revenge to satisfy some personal vengeance or enmity by throwing acid cowardly. Acid throwing destroys the lives of the victims.

 The incident of acid throwing takes place due to mainly two reasons. The main reason is the rejection of love or marriage proposal. When the rejected lovers fail to win the heart of their beloved, they try or have revenge throwing acid on them. On the other hand, if two families fall into enmity on different issues, often one of them takes the part of savage vengeance and throws acid on the members of the other family. There are some other common reasons of acid throwing. Breakdown of marriage, demand for dowry etc. are some of them. But the most vital point that gives rise to acid throwing is the easy availability of acid. The govt. has almost no control over buying and sale of acid.

Acid Throwing

In our country women and children are the worst victims ofacid throwing. In our male-dominated society, without a rare exception men are the acid throwers and women and children are the victims. Statistics shows that almost 98% acid victims are women and children. According to Bangladesh Children Rights forum, about 25% of the victims are children.

The effect of acid throwing is destructive. In most cases, the acid victims succumb to injury. The survivors have to drag a miserable existence. Either they are crippled or paralysed . the victims also possess a terrifying and distorted appearance. Often the victims become physically invalid and they have to live depending on others. Thus the victims become burden to their families.

Acid violence would be tried under Women and children Repression Act – 1995. But if a male would be an acid victims, the crime would be tried according to the penal code of 1860. However, these proved insufficient to prevent or control acid violence. So, the govt. introduced Acid violence prevention Act 2002. Under this Act a separate court has been established to punish the acid-criminals and highest punishment to be awarded for this is death penalty.

To prevent acid violence, the govt. must take punitive action against the acid throwers. The involved criminals should be tried in summary trial and must be awarded with death sentence. Verdict of the court should be executed rapidly. On the other hand, sale and buying of acid should be strictly monitored.  Above all, government, non – government, and socio-cultural organization should go on with campaign against acid violence.

Acid Throwing

Throwing acid is nothing but a brutal and cowardice act. Such crime against humanity should never go unchallenged. The govt. and other humanitarian organization should come forward to check acid violence as well as to rehabilitate the acid-survivors.