Basana Rani was unable to have children with her spouse. Since there was no direct heir, Rani herself was responsible for managing her husband’s assets in his absence.
That did not sit well with Rani's brother-in-law, who, driven by jealousy, threw acid on her, causing burn injuries to her neck and back.
"The pain I feel cannot be expressed in words,” said Basana, adding that the itching at the site of the burn injury created such uncomfortable situations. Land disputes often serve as a common motive behind acid attacks in Bangladesh. Rani, who hails from Palashbari upazila in the northern district of Gaibandha, has been enduring the crime committed by her husband's brother for 20 years.
Abdur Rob Byapari of Kaliganj, Gazipur, lost one of his testicles when his own child hurled acid at him. He, along with three other family members, survived the attack. A family dispute was the primary cause of the 2004 attack at Byapari’s home, where his three-month-old baby girl was also injured. "I want to take care of my parents, something my stepbrother failed to do," said Juena, Byapari’s 20-year-old daughter.
A publication of the Society of Surgeons of Bangladesh, Journal of Surgical Sciences, reported that in the majority of acid attack cases, injuries were sustained on the neck (47.9%) and the back trunk (27.3%).
Neither of the survivors has been able to attain justice, currently undergoing follow-up care at the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) in Dhaka.
"We used to receive treatment at the large hospital run by ASF, but now we are receiving treatment in this small facility," said Byapari.
According to ASF Executive Director Sarder Jahangir Hossain, his organization previously owned a 20-bed hospital in Banani before relocating to Mirpur.
"We had to close the facility due to a funding crisis during the Covid-19 pandemic," Jahangir told Dhaka Tribune.
Acteus Group, a supplier of industrial equipment based in Singapore, initiated its Acteus Smiles CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative with the intention of fostering an emotional bond with Bangladeshis and strengthening its previous initiatives, rather than solely for financial motives.
"We are grateful to Acteus Group for its support. With its assistance, we can now provide better care for acid attack survivors. However, to expand our operations, establish a hospital to provide free treatment for survivors and offer affordable care, we need additional funding," Jahangir continued.
"ASF hopes to construct a medical facility equipped with physiotherapy, rehabilitation and counselling services specifically tailored for acid attack survivors, where they can also find employment opportunities," he added.
He urged the authorities to ensure regular meetings of the National Acid Council – which have not taken place for over five years – and to streamline legal procedures.
Jahanara Akter Parul, an acid attack survivor currently employed with ASF, said she had been attacked by her cousin. She shared with this newspaper her aspirations of opening a restaurant and creating job opportunities for other acid attack survivors.
"It is evident that we face social barriers during our journey of survival," said Tahmina Islam, coordinator of case and partnership management at ASF.
"However, ASF has provided us with the opportunity to overcome these obstacles, and with Acteus's assistance, I am determined to lead a fulfilling life," she added.
"Acid should not be in the hands of those who would misuse it; it belongs in the laboratory," said Qhaleeda Ibrahim, business excellence manager of Acteus Pte Ltd.
She emphasized the need for stronger control to acid access in Bangladesh.
Acteus Group CEO Yann Bary spoke with Dhaka Tribune on the matter, saying: "With the acid attack survivors in Bangladesh, we have opened another door of cooperation."
"We will stay in touch and explore potential future areas of collaboration. We have always been a supportive organization that prioritizes women's empowerment, children's education and enhancing people's lives beyond our business. We have extended our initiatives to other countries.
"Previously, we helped underprivileged communities of Bangladesh and would like to continue focusing on empowerment and livelihood," Yann Bary said in response to a question about his involvement in social activities in Bangladesh.
"Several affiliated organizations have since closed. However, we have founded ASF, and they are operating efficiently. We are eager to expand the scope of our operations," Yann Bary added.
Representatives from Acteus Group were warmly welcomed at the Acid Survivors Foundation office on Thursday in Mohammadpur.
During the visit, ASF representatives showcased a PowerPoint presentation, urging donors to support acid attack survivors.
Established in 1999 to combat the escalating incidents of acid violence in Bangladesh, ASF currently provides assistance to over 4,000 survivors and their families.
Since 2015, Acteus has been active in various industries in Bangladesh. Through its corporate social program Acteus Smiles, the company has supported numerous organizations for humanitarian purposes alongside its business endeavours. Through Acteus Smiles, the corporation aims to reiterate its support via aid initiatives which empower women and cater to the needs of underprivileged children.
