A total of 494 incidents of acid violence occurred in 2002 while only eight incidents have been recorded in the first six months of this year, according to the data.



Not only has the number of incidents decreased but also more victims have overcome the trauma and become active in various sectors.



Government and private data indicates that this crime fell significantly low due to the enforcement of two relevant laws. Nearly 1500 women and children became victims of acid violence till 2018. A total of 684 people were arrested over those incidents. Only 338 accused were awarded punishment while the remaining were acquitted due to lack of evidence and witnesses.



A total of 2147 cases were filed at the time against which 1270 charge sheets were submitted. Among them, final charge sheets for 860 cases were filed.



Experts say, the trials are delayed even though the number of crimes are reduced. According to the Acid Crime Prevention Act, 2002, the trial of the case must be finished within 90 working days. Home ministry records show, only 9 per cent of the accused have been convicted. Of those, 14 were sentenced to death, but none of these sentences have been carried out so far.



While the incidents of acid violence have decreased, the administration's active surveillance on the cases have been reduced as well. The home ministry sources said that a quarterly meeting of the National Acid Control Council had been set up to look into the cases, but there has not been a single such meeting in the past four years. District committee meetings should be held once every two months, but those are not being held regularly.



Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, “We are trying to take steps so that the accused are punished. Earlier acid was easily available. The government has taken stern measures in this regard. Besides, strict laws have been made. This has basically reduced acid violence.”



Joint effort



The Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) has been working from 1999 to provide medical care, legal assistance, rehabilitation, and dignity to victims of acid violence. For the same purpose, the Prothom Alo Trust for women acid victims was formed in 2000. In addition, the government and various private organisations, including BRAC and ActionAid, have been working together to fight acid violence.