Acid Attack On DU Student Near College Campus; Sparks Debate On Women's Security
A Delhi University student, reportedly enrolled in the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB), was injured in an acid attack near Lakshmibai College on Sunday morning. A stalker from her neighbourhood allegedly attacked her along with two accomplices.
According to the victim’s statement, a second-year student, she attended an extra class on Sunday. “While she was walking towards the college, a man named Jitender came on a bike with his friends, Ishaan and Armaan. Ishan allegedly handed over a bottle to Arman, who threw acid on the women. The victim tried to protect her face; however, she sustained injuries on her hands. The accused fled the spot”, she reportedly stated.
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As per the reports, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory inspected the scene, and the CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined. Police teams are conducting raids to trace the accused.
A senior official from Ashok Vihar police station has praised the survivor for her courage to cover her face; otherwise, the consequences would have been far worse.
The safety and security of women in and around the campus has become a growing challenge in India. Increasing incidents of rapes in campuses, attempts of sexual assault, molestation cases, and now the acid attack attempts have shaken the system to its core and made us question the safety inside the educational institutions, also.
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While the DUSU elections were being held, I interviewed many women candidates, for whom the security issues in and outside the campus have been a major issue. One of the women students told me about the incidents where Acid bottles were found near the campus gates in the past. Women are even sometimes do not feel safe on campus and face molestation near the campus area.
The capital city, which has already remained unsafe for women, if it can not ensure safety in and across the educational institutions in daylight, raises many questions about the capability of law and order.
