Two college girls suffered burns in an acid attack in broad daylight by an unidentified man near their college in Thirumangalam near Madurai on Friday.
U. Meena (17) and S. Angalaeshwari (18), both students of the English Department of the college under the Madurai-Kamaraj University, were walking towards a bus stop at 2 p.m. when a man suddenly threw the acid on Meena.
She suffered burns on the right side of her face, neck and arms, while Angaleshwari suffered injuries on her left shoulder and arm.
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The attacker fled the spot.
Eyewitnesses said that an aged man, who was passing by that side on a two-wheeler, helped to take the girls to the Tirumangalam Government Hospital from where they were referred to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH).
Police sources said both were conscious, but claimed that they did not know the attacker.
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“They said that he was wearing a brown shirt and was in his thirties,” the police said.
GRH Dean B. Santhakumar said that Meena suffered over 25 per cent burns, while Angaleshwari 15 per cent burns. “Both of them are recovering. There is no danger to their lives. We have not yet ascertained the liquid thrown on them. It will be tested soon,” he said. Inspector-General of Police (South Zone) Abhay Kumar Singh, who visited the hospital, said that five special teams had been formed to nab the accused.