Kathmandu, September 19

Samjhana Das, 18, and Sushmita Das, 15, of Rautahat, who are undergoing treatment in Kathmandu after suffering heavy injuries due to acid attack, do not want to return home, as they fear the criminal will hunt them down to make another vicious attack.

Both the sisters were brought to Kathmandu and admitted to Kirtipur Hospital after acid was splashed on them on the night of September 11 when they were sleeping at their home in Chandrapur Municipality. Sushmita, a Grade VI student, who suffered injuries in the right hand and neck, is recovering well, but Samjhana’s condition is ‘critical’, according to doctors. The acid attacker has been identified as 50-year-old Ram Babu Paswan, a neighbour of Das sisters, who apparently accompanied the acid attack victims and their parents to Kathmandu. He was taken for interrogation from the hospital premises and arrested by Rautahat District Police Office yesterday.

“Paswan, who we used to refer to as uncle, is a witch doctor. I’ve heard he can use his supernatural power to harm us from jail,” said a visibly shaken Sushmita from the hospital bed as tears welled up in her eyes. “I don’t want to return home, as there is no certainty that this incident will not repeat.”

Samjhana, a Grade VII dropout, who was admitted in intensive care unit, echoed her sister. “Home reminds me of the brutal attack. I’ll probably stay at my aunt’s house in Sundhara if I’m discharged,” said Samjhana, whose upper part of the body has been burnt by the acid.

Samjhana’s dream for now is to return to her previous form, which, according to doctors, is ‘impossible’, as she has suffered heavy injuries in face, head, chest, back and arms. Dr Ketki Kaushal, a burn and plastic surgeon, said, “She has only 20 per cent chances of survival.”

Samjhana has suffered ‘deep burn’ in 35 per cent of her body and top part of her right ear was ‘eaten off’ by acid, according to Dr Kaushal. “People who have suffered deep burn in more than 20 per cent of their body have very little chances of survival,” she said.

So far, doctors have transplanted skin in more than half of the body parts that were burnt by acid. “We are conducting another operation to transplant skin tomorrow. This might further deteriorate her health condition. But we cannot delay the operation because the acid present in her burnt skin could cause further damage to her body,” said Dr Kaushal.

Jadolal Das, the father of two injured daughters, has been raising funds from his hometown and others to save the life of his child.

“I had brought Rs 25,000 with me while coming to Kathmandu, which was spent at the time of admitting my daughters in the hospital,” said Jadolal, who operates a snooker and pool house. “I don’t have any money left with me and am seeking donations from philanthropists.” (People who want to make contribution can deposit the fund at Nepal Investment Bank, Account No: 05205030253512)

Doctors of Kirtipur Hospital have said Samjhana’s medical treatment would cost around Rs 1 million.