HYDERABAD: Stung by increasing
number of acid attacks on women in the state, home minister Sabita Indra Reddy
has decided to convene a meeting of officials of the home, social and women's
welfare departments on June 30 to constitute a coordination committee which
would examine steps to minimise such cases.
Talking to the media on Friday, the minister expressed concern over the
incidents and said that instructions have been issued to the police to take
stern action against the culprits and complete the investigation speedily. She
said efforts were on to expand the toll-free 1091 service (crisis response for
women in distress) to all the districts. The government would also take measures
to strengthen mahila police stations in the state, she said.
The home minister was of the opinion that there was need to amend the law and
make it more stringent so that the punishment acts as a deterrent to those who
indulge in such acts. She said she would write to the Centre to examine the
issue and amend the law accordingly.
Sabita said as per rules, those who store hazardous material like acid are
supposed to maintain record of the stock, date of supply and sales record. The
dealers are supposed to enter the name of the purchaser, the type of chemical or
acid that has been sold and his address in the register. But this is not being
done and easy availability of acid has become a menace resulting in increasing
number of such cases, she felt.