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.
