One needs to comment on the Union Home Ministry’s plan to have a system for online monitoring of the sale of acid (“ >Acid sale to be monitored online ,” Dec. 28). How is one to know the volume and extent of sale online? Most purchases are illegal and through the black market that requires no online presence. Hence, it is hard to track the entire process of sale. Manufacturers are also getting to be innovative by renaming their products rather than calling them “acid”, as has been the case. There must be a ban on concentrated acid formulations and a monitoring of trade licences.
Nivedha Jayaraman,
Salem
There appears to be no end to the spate of attacks on women using acid. It is an act so horrifying as it burns the skin in no time and onlookers most often do not and cannot help the victim. It is time the government lays down strict regulations on the sale of acid, which is still readily available. More than this, all health centres must be well-versed in providing immediate and the right first aid. Acid attacks constitute a most heinous form of gender-based violence. Their perpetrators need to be punished severely.
Neelu Sharma,
Mysuru
