Acid Violence - Renu Mala Rina - People's Voices

Acid Violence - Renu Mala Rina

Renu Mala Rina, D/o. Mr. Abdul Quddus, Aminapara, Sherpur was married 4 years back when a student of class – VII. Parents offered Tk.10,000, a bi-cycle and some other items as dowry to the husband's family.

The initial days went on happily but after some time, the husband and in-laws started demanding further Tk.20,000. The poor father had no means to meet the demand. Torture on Rina started. She had to do daylong household chores with inadequate food, sometimes with no food. The girl went back to her parents when torture became intolerable. Local leaders arranged for Salish (arbitration), but the husband's family was not agreeable without getting the additional money. Five such 'Salish' attempts failed. Then they suggested the girl to divorce the husband. Rina did not agree. She wanted to make further attempt for reconciliation. She returned to in-laws house but she was not accepted. She stayed there for two weeks, but there was not change in their attitude. She had to be without food for almost one week. Stripped off her valuables and good clothes, she was turned out of the house. On return to parent's house, Rina divorced her husband in the court.

Three days later, the husband along with a companion cut open the fence of the house at dead of night and threw acid on her. Horrified and perplexed, Rina cried out ‘somebody has put fire on me’. Parents woke up, but could not catch the culprit. Rina started running after them but fainted in panic when the husband’s companion brought out a dagger. The family and villagers have no idea of first aid in case of acid burn. They took the victim to Sherpur district hospital that was of little help. District hospitals have no treatment facilities for such cases. Rina was transferred to Mymensingh Medical College, which also could not help her much regarding treatment. However, a local journalist, the Social Service Department and the Department of Women’s Affairs extended assistance to raise some fund for her and arranged for her transfer to the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. She was there for, 4 months. In the meantime, the Nari Pakkha – an NGO discovered her and arranged for her treatment abroad.

The acid victim Rina appeals to the society to see that nobody becomes a victim of dowry and in consequence be burnt with acid