Indian sisters attacked with acid

Four sisters aged between 19 and 24 in north India received burns after two men on motorbike splashed them with acid.

An acid attack has left four sisters in north India with burns in a particularly brutal example of what is a growing problem in South Asia, according to police.

The youngest sister, 19, was admitted to hospital with severe injuries after two men on a motorbike splashed them with acid on Tuesday evening in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, about 100km from the capital.

"Acid has become the cheapest and most effective tool for men to attack women in India," said activist and victim Archana Kumari, who comes from northern Uttar Pradesh state where Tuesday's attack took place.

"Why is the government not stopping the sale of acid? Why are they supporting a weapon that has the power to kill and ruin a woman's life?" she said.

According to the London-based charity Acid Survivors Trust International, about 1,500 acid attacks are reported globally each year.

But many more victims do not report their injuries to the authorities and instead suffer in silence.

In 2011, neighbouring Pakistan adopted legislation increasing the punishment to between 14 years and life for acid attacks and a minimum fine of one million Pakistan rupees ($10,200).