Agony of an acid victim

Doctors said the face, neck, chest, arms and one leg of Rahima Khatun Mukta, 35, a stage actress, were burnt seriously.

She has already spent Tk 35,000 for her treatment and needs more money which her husband Khalilur Rahman, a worker, cannot afford.

"Many people come to see me and express sympathy but none gives us any money for treatment," Mukta said helplessly lying on a bed at burn and plastic surgery unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

Mukta, her husband and daughter have appealed to generous people to save their family.

Mithu, son of Golap, the founder of Golap Theatre at Badda in the city, threw acid on Mukta on July 5 for refusing to act in two plays of the group, Mukta told The Daily Star.

" I made two agreements with the Golap Theatre about four months back to act as main female character in two plays," she said.

" But after attending some rehearsal sessions I found the environment uncomfortable and decided not to continue with the group," Mukta added.

After that Golap, her son Mithu and some other people of the group insisted her on joining the rehearsal but she refused.

On July 5, Mithu along with two friends went to her residence at Arseen Colony at Jurayeen with liquid acid in cans of a soft drink.

"Suddenly they threw acid on my face and other parts of body and fled away, " Mukta said.

She filed a case with Shyampur Police Station against six persons including Mithu, Golap, Sujan and three other unknown persons in this regard.

Police arrested Golap, Sujan and one Showkat in this connection.

Since then some unknown people have been threatening her to withdraw the case otherwise they will throw acid on her daughter.