The Hindu : Front Page : Swapnika’s 21-day battle with life ends

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Swapnika’s 21-day battle with life ends

Special Correspondent

Hundreds pay respects to her at MGM Hospital in Warangal

HYDERABAD: Twenty-year-old Swapnika who had been battling for life ever since the brutal acid attack on her in Warangal on December 10 died at Yashoda Hospital here early Wednesday morning.

The B.Tech final year student, was on ventilator support from Monday night as her condition deteriorated after she developed acute respiratory distress. Hospital doctors said her end came at 5.20 a.m. She battled for life for 21 days.

Her parents, Devender and Srikala, were prepared for the eventuality after they were allowed to see the gravity of their daughter’s condition while the doctors were dressing her wounds.

The grief-stricken parents and relatives took Swapnika’s body with police escort to Warangal MGM Hospital for a post-mortem soon after doctors broke the news of her death.

Warangal Staff Reporter writes: Hundreds thronged the MGM hospital to pay their respects to Swapnika, after the post-mortem was performed.

Leaders of all political parties joined them in consoling her parents. Later, the body was shifted to her home at Bhavani Nagar. Her classmates and college friends from KITS and others from various educational institutions placed wreaths on the body.

Swapnika and her friend Praneetha were grievously injured when Srinivas, an alleged jilted lover, and his associates, Hari Krishna and Sanjay, threw acid on them while they were returning home from the college. Swapnika was badly injured, while her friend sustained severe injuries.

Srinivas and his associates, arrested by police, were killed in an ‘encounter’ on December 12.

The acid attack created a sensation, with all sections across the State demanding severe punishment to the trio.

Their subsequent ‘encounter’ too came in for sharp criticism from some sections.

On Wednesday, E. Dayakar Rao, MP, N. Rajakumari (Telugu Desam), P. Kodandarama Rao (Lok Satta), M. Dharma Rao (BJP), R. Amarender Reddy (TRS) and others visited the hospital.

Holiday declared

Meanwhile, KITS where Swapnika studied, declared a holiday on Wednesday after students observed two-minute silence.

Several colleges too declared holiday.

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