The attack has brought my film career to an abrupt end and I need medicines free of cost lifelong, says Vijaya Laxmi
N. Vijaya Laxmi, 45, who suffered severe buns on her face in an acid attack way back in 1988, has been running from pillar to post seeking government’s aid to meet her huge medical expenses.
Miscreants threw acid on Ms. Laxmi in the heart of the town at the alleged behest of an influential political leader on March 2 that year. Her face was disfigured in the attack, shattering her hopes of carving out a bright career in the film industry.
The incident sparked a public outcry following which a case was registered against some suspects by the local police.
However, she reportedly withdrew her case following the intervention of “some elders.” She had undergone several face surgeries in the last two and half decades and incurred huge expenditure as a result.
She also approached the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission seeking its intervention to ensure free supply of medicines for ever and compensation.
She came to St. Joseph’s School here on Sunday to meet Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu for apprising him of her pathetic situation.
Speaking to The Hindu, Ms. Vijaya Laxmi, who reportedly won Miss Andhra crown when she was 20, deplored that the acid attack had ruined her life and brought her film career to an abrupt end.
“I have come here along with my adopted daughter to submit a memorandum to Mr. Naidu to explain to him about my miserable life,” she said, hoping that Mr Naidu, who is spearheading a padayatra to know the woes of people, would certainly look into her problem.
I had already approached the APSHRC for help, she said. I need to undergo an eye surgery to avert loss of complete eyesight and I seek the government’s support for provision of free medicines lifelong as well as financial aid, she urged.
The government should deal sternly with the perpetrators of violence against women to prevent recurrence of acid attacks, she said.
Keywords: acid attack, Vijaya Laxmi, human rights, crime against women
It is a fit case to be probed by the AP Govt and the women's NGOs and
Human rights commission and all the right thinking people to know the
culprits involved in this incident and extend all support to that poor
woman who suffered such a great tragedy making her suffer through out
her life.
While she deserves all sympathy and reasonable assistance,one cannot understand why she withdrew her case following invention of elders.Where are these elders now?What happened to the influential politican at whose behest miscreants are alleged to have thrown acid on her face?She should have told the "ELDERS" to arrange for her lifelong treatment and all her maintenance expenses.There is something rotten in Denmark.
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