ASF Executive Director Monira Rahman addresses a press conference at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On her left are ASF Acting Chairperson Parveen Mahmud and Asma Akter.Photo: STAR

Prevalence of acid violence has declined compared to the first quarter of the previous year because of pro-active role of different non-government organisations, the media and the government, according to Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF).
Some 20 people fell victim to acid violence from January to April this year, while the same period of the last year saw 42 victims, ASF Executive Director Monira Rahman said at a press conference yesterday.
"Acid violence had increased by 40 percent every year during the period from 1999 to 2002. If we had not taken necessary action to curb such violence, it would have shattered at least 4,668 lives in 2008, which saw a total of 178 victims," she said.
However, there is no reason to be complacent as acid violence is still taking place in the country, she added.
She also announced that ASF would organise the 1st International Conference of the Acid Survivors on Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the organisation.
The conference will be held at the auditorium of Institution of Engineers, with Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haq Mostafa Shahid as the chief guest, she said.
Some 500 representatives from acid survivors and participants from Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Uganda and the UK will attend the conference and share their experiences.
Acting Chairperson of ASF Parveen Mahmud, Farzana Rahim, AK Masood Ahmed and Shah Alamgir also spoke at the press conference held at the National Press Club.