Noted Urdu poet attacked with acid, mercilessly beaten up

FIROZABAD: A noted Urdu poet Hashim Firozabadi was attacked with acid and was mercilessly beaten up for confronting five youth who allegedly sexually harassing school girls.

The incident happened at around 9:30 pm on Saturday in Firozabad’s Rasoolpur area of Uttar Pradesh.

According to news agency ANI, Hashim claimed that, “A man came to me and said he won’t send his daughters to school as they’re regularly molested by some miscreants who also make obscene phone calls to them. He was scared to go to the police and asked me to talk to the miscreants. It’s a result of my attempt.”

So, I called one of the accused and tried to convince him. He paid no heed,” Firozabadi told Hindustan Times over the phone.

“I reached his locality on Friday night and tried to persuade him, but the accused and his brothers attacked me instead. They threw a liquid, which appeared to be acid. It caused a burning sensation and has left marks on my face and hand,” he added.

The 42-year-old poet suffered burn injuries on his face, chest and arms.

Rasoolpur police station has confirmed the incident, and an FIR has been registered against the five under IPC sections. He was made to undergo medical examination. “We’ll arrest culprits soon,” the police assured.