New bill to prevent acid attacks soon: NCW

New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) The National Commission for Women (NCW) today said it has prepared a special Bill to prevent incidence of acid attacks and mooted for setting up a board to provide assistance to the victim.

Giving details about a draft bill, Prevention of Offences (by acids) Act 2008, prepared by the Commission which will be submitted to the Prime Minister, NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said the Bill envisages that the board can order an interim relief of an amount upto Rs five lakhs, after having been prima facie satisfied that a case of acid attack has been made out.

Any further sum of money as approved by the Board from time to time shall be met towards the treatment of the victim, subject to a maximum of Rs 30 lakhs.

Describing the attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, as a ''shame on democracy and secularism'' she said an inquiry should be conducted into alleged police "atrocities" there against women belonging to Christian institutions.

Ms Vyas who had visited Karnataka recently in view of the incidents, said it was unfortunate that the community which was known to be peace-loving had to be on the recieving end of such attacks. People should not take the law into their hands and smear a community for ill deeds of a section of people, she said, referring to New life literature.

Calling for efforts to restore peace, she said the administration had failed to safeguard churches, nuns, teachers and common people especially women.

UNI MMG JT KN2037