India woman attacked with acid for fifth time

A woman in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh who 
survived an alleged gang-rape and four separate acid 
attacks has been targeted again by an acid-thrower.

She was attacked outside a women's hostel in Lucknow 
while getting water from a hand pump, police said.

The woman, 35, had been receiving round-the-clock 
police protection because of the previous attacks, 
which were linked to a property dispute.

Anger is growing at the authorities' inability to protect her.

She was allegedly gang-raped and first attacked with 
acid by two men in 2008, over a property dispute, the details of which are not clear.

The same two men are then accused of throwing acid 
at her twice more - in 2012 and 2013 - to try and get her to drop the criminal charges against them.

In March, she was attacked again while travelling on 
a train with her daughter. This time she was forced to 
drink acid.

Two men are facing trial for all of the attacks but were released on bail in April, the AFP agency reports.

According to government figures, there are hundreds 
of such attacks involving acid each year in India, although campaigners say the real figures are much higher.

The victims, who have to live with terrible disfigurements, 
are mainly women and are often targeted by jealous 
partners, campaigners say.

Despite a Supreme Court ruling in 2013 to regulate the
 sale of acid, critics say it is still widely and easily available.