Imphal: Manipur social welfare minister Nemcha Kipgen on Monday condemned the acid attack on Mangshatabam Menaka, 32, visited her at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences here and prayed for her recovery.

Menaka is the wife of Mangsatabam Santosh, 38, of Soibam Leikai Wangkhei Khunou, Imphal East district.

"The culprit shall be punished. I pray this will not happen again," said the minister.

Sapam Banabir Singh, the secretary of Citizens Club, Soibam Leikai, said, "This has never happened in Manipur".

Menaka was attacked while returning home on her scooter at Khurai Soibam Leikai Wangkhei Khunou at 8.30pm on November 29.

Sources said the culprit, Md Shahdad, alias Tomba, 22, was searching for a girl at Menaka's tea kiosk that day. She told him she had no idea where the girl was. He left but later threw acid at Menaka, which hit her right shoulder, some parts of the chin and right palm. She was rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and then referred to RIMS. Doctors said she had suffered 10 per cent acid burns. Shahdad was arrested and is in police custody. Two others were also arrested. Banabir alleged that Shahdad was notorious for selling drugs and other anti-social activities. The local club said his family would be expelled from the locality and Menaka's medical expenses would be borne by them. Kipgen gave financial assitance for Menaka's treatment and assured her family of all possible help from the government.