Campaigners for Stop Acid Attack held a Get Well Soon protest at Delhi Headquarters on Friday demanding the suspension of Parliament Street police station Officer (SHO) Dinesh Kumar on the grounds of brutality against the campaigners when they are raising their demands at Parliament on Thursday.
laxmi, an acid attack survivor and recipient of bravery award from US First lady Michelle Obama, said, “We want a check on the sale of acids and other corrosive substances being sold openly and a fast track court to deal with the cases of acids attacks”. There should be work on the medical facilities and rehabilitation of survivors as well, added laxmi.
Usha, another survivor and campaigner said that the police which should support them has turned insulated to the sensitivity of the issue and is not ready to lend an ear to the matter in question. Urging a change in the attitude of the police towards the issue, the campaigners had come with flowers and bouquets gesturing their peaceful approach despite the lathicharge on campaigners and brutal beating of four members separately in a room, the previous day. The protesters were dragged off away from the front space of Delhi Police Headquarters and made to sit and voice their opinion sitting behind the police barracks which the protesters later decorated with flowers.
Dr Piyush, a member of Stop Acid Attack campaign, said that the trivial reason stated for not implementing control on acid sale is the sheer inability to keep an eye on all the shops and firms involved in the sale of acids. They have even filed numerous RTIs for the same but didn’t receive any response. later a letter stating the demand of the supporters of the campaign was received by Delhi Police, which has agreed to respond to it within two days.