Acid attack victim speaks out, demands life imprisonment for accused
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2018: Saying that an acid attack is the worst sort of crime one can inflict on another human being, Paonam (N) Mangsatabam (O) Maneka who was left with 'life changing injuries' by the shocking acid attack that took place on November 29 of last year has demanded the accused be awarded life imprisonment.

Maneka (33) w/o of M Santosh of Old Checkon Wangkhei Khunou is undergoing treatment at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Maneka whose family ekes out a living by running a hotel at Wangkhei Khunou Pukhri Achouba claimed that she was returning home on a Honda Activa scooter when a man whose face was covered with cloth threw acid at her just before reaching her home on November 29 at around 8.30 pm.

Acid attack victim speaks out, demands life imprisonment for accused

She suffered grievous injuries on her right chin, neck, right shoulder and parts of her chest in the acid attack.

She said that the man was later identified as Md Sahdat @ Tomba (23) s/o (L) Md Azad Ali of Hatta Ita Golla.

The victim narrated that she immediately alerted the locals but the man managed to flee the area taking advantages of darkness.

She said that on the night, the locals who were infuriated by the attack stormed the residence of Md Sahdat who was later taken away by a team of Imphal East district police.

Maneka who has two sons said that she was admitted to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) from where she was referred to RIMS for proper treatment.

She regretted that her family has been reeling under intense financial on account of admission fees of her sons and her other needs of the family.

"I really don't know why I was attacked with acid.

Following the incident, my life has been going through a very difficult time facing the intense physical pain and mental trauma," said Maneka with tears rolling down her face.

Maneka's husband Santosh who works as a gym trainer said that the accused is going to be produced before the Court soon.

He demanded stringent punishment for the accused so that no one would dare to commit such a heinous crime in the future.

Alleging that the accused had been involved in various crimes in the past, he said that the accused deserves not less than life imprisonment for his heinous crime.

RIMS Director Professor A Santa said that the hospital has been bearing the medical expenses of the victim, including medicine.

He said that Maneka could be discharged from the hospital after a week as her condition has made significant improvement.