DIG Laxman Prasad Singh hands over a draft to Sonali on Saturday. (Pankaj Singh)

Bokaro, Aug. 11: Thousands of residents from all sections today braved the rains and chipped in with donations and prayers in an emotional send-off to Sonali Mukherjee, the victim of the 2003 acid attack, a day before she leaves for New Delhi to undergo surgeries.

A crowd of over 5,000 including traders, activists, bureaucrats, students, labourers and homemakers gathered at Sunday Bazar, where residents of Gandhi Nagar, Bermo, donated Rs 1.77 lakh to Sonali.

Coal Belt DIG Laxman Singh, who gave away a bank draft to Sonali, urged the people and the police to come forward in punishing criminals such as the three youths, including a suitor, who sprayed acid on the former NCC cadet.

“Such anti-social elements do not have right a live in a civilised society. But the love and affection shown by the people of Bermo and Bokaro clearly shows we are attached to each other,” he said.

Sonali said the love and affection shown by the people had given her the courage to live and fight the odds, adding she would be back after a series of operations that would take about 18 months.

Her well-wishers including coal miners continued to donate money, with a few social outfits planning to send bank drafts to Delhi on Monday.

The surgeries for restoring Sonali’s looks and sight will cost around Rs 30 lakh. Donors from across the nation have contributed nearly Rs 25 lakh to her family so far.