Balasore: A 26-year-old woman is fighting for her life after two goons threw acid on her here. The masked goons threw acid on her face and fled on a motorcycle.

A family member said she suffered 50 per cent burn injuries. "We initially admitted her to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital. We plan to take her to Cuttack for better treatment," Ramesh Mohanty.

The victim was returning home on a two-wheeler with another friend at the time of attack. The incident occurred near Sovarampur level crossing in Sahadevkhunta police limits. "The family was reluctant to lodge a complaint. Finally, her maternal uncle lodged one," said Sahadevkhunta police station inspector-in-charge Jayant Behera.

"They were masked and the motorcycle did not have a number plate," he said.

The victim got married five years ago, but lived with her mother following her divorce two years ago. She worked in a private insurance company. Past grudges cannot not be ruled out as motive behind the acid attack, the police said.

Balasore superintendent of police B. Jugal Kishore said three teams were formed to nab the culprits.

The case took a new turn after Harekrushna Jena, a finance company staff member, lodged a complaint with police that their office near the bus stand was set afire by two women in the morning.

Behera said: "A case has been registered in this connection as well. Investigation is on to ascertain whether there is any relation between the alleged acid attack and the arson. We also have to ascertain whether the woman suffered the burn injuries caused by the acid or the fire."