Steps taken to regulate sale of acid in Puducherry

Puducherry: Taking a cue from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry on Friday said it also plans to regulate acid sale in the backdrop of the recent death of a 23-year-old woman software professional in an acid attack at Karaikal. Lt Governor Iqbal Singh made the announcement at the International Women`s Day celebrations here, while referring to the death of the software professional on Feb 12 and said there was a need to ensure safe environment for women.

He said gender equality should be ensured and there was a need to promote values among youth. On February 12, Vinodhini died at a hospital in Chennai after battling severe burns she suffered in an acid attack at a bus terminus in Karaikal, near Nagapattinam. A construction worker had attacked her on November 14 last year after she rejected his overtures and refused to marry him. On February 26, Tamil Nadu Government had said it would take steps to control and regulate sale of the acid against the backdrop of acid attacks that claimed the lives of two young women in the state. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had said that bill in this regard would be moved during the coming Budget session of the state Assembly and adopted. PTI