Chameli Magar (left) with daughter Sangita. Pic: Devaki Bista

The mother of the girl who got severe burn injuries in an acid attack early this week in Kathmandu has urged the police to arrest the culprit.

“When will they (the police) arrest him (the culprit)?” asks Chameli Magar, whose 16-year-old daughter Sangita is now undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC).

“I want to see his (the culprit’s) face. I want to know why he destroyed my daughter’s life.”

In the wee hours of Sunday, an unidentified man threw acid at Sangita while she was waiting for her tuition class to begin in Jhonchhe, Kathmandu. Acid has burnt her face and hands.

Sima Basnet, 15, who was sitting next to Sangita in the same room, also got some burns. She is now undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital. Her condition is not as critical as Sangita’s.

According to Chameli, Sangita rushed home and fell on the ground shortly after being attacked with acid. “Before she fainted, she asked me not to spare the culprit,” says Chameli.

Two days after the incident, police has yet to find the perpetrator who threw acid on Sangita and Sima.

Sangita’s parents make a living by washing dishes. Chameli says she is too poor to bear the medical expenses for Sangita’s treatment but does not want to beg for money.

“My relatives, friends and neighbors gave me around Rs 50,000,” she says. “I spent all that money in just three days. I do not want to go around asking people for money.”

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the police to identify and arrest the culprit at the earliest.

On Tuesday, school students carried out a rally demanding justice for Sangita and Sima.

Devaki Bista

Interview with Chameli Magar