For the family of U. Meena, it is the second shock this month since her father died just 22 days ago.
“She was very upset at her father’s death, and the family is yet to recover. This is another tragedy,” said U. Murugeswari, her mother, a daily wager.
She fainted when she went to see her daughter at the Government Rajaji Hospital after the acid attack took place on Friday afternoon. She was inconsolable.
“We do not have any enemies. There have been no rejection of marriage proposals or suitors who might want to do this to her,” Ms. Murugeswari says.
Meena’s friends, too, were in shock and described her as a quiet and friendly girl. “We cannot think of anyone who would do this to her. When we were all walking together, suddenly a well-dressed man advanced towards us and threw acid on her. Before we could realise what had happened, he got away,” said Priya, a classmate of the victim and witness to the incident near the college.
Students from the college who had come to the GRH trauma care wing said the area was safe. “This is the first time something like this has happened. Both male and female students from the college usually walk in a large group to the bus stop, but today the girls were alone,” said S. Kumaran, a student of the college.
It was initially feared that Ms. Meena’s right eye was affected, but senior doctors assured the family that her vision would not be affected and it could be treated.
