Ernakulam: A 35-year old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly attacking a woman and her four children with acid in Ernakulam district.

According to reports, the arrested man was identified as Renny, a resident of Neytushalapadi, who was allegedly having a living together relationship with Smitha, after the death of her first husband.

According to the police, the attack happened on Thursday at Pambakuda in Ramamangalam village.

The police said, Renny threw acid at Smitha and her four children, who were sleeping in their one-room house.

Smija, studying in class seven, suffered a serious injury on her face and the girl lost sight. The others, Nivin (14), Smina (13) and Sminu (4) besides Smitha are undergoing treatment.

According to sources, the accused had confessed to his crime to the police. It is also reported that Renny and his aides completely burnt down Smitha’s makeshift house. The police are searching from Renny’s aides.

Smitha was staying with her children in the makeshift house following her husband's death. The villagers had pooled money and resources and were building a home for the poor family. The construction of the house was almost over and the house warming ceremony was scheduled for next month.

According to the sources, the Ramamangalam ward member came to the spot and took the family to Piravom government hospital. Later, the family was taken to the ESI hospital in Kottayam for better treatment.

In a similar incident of acid attack in Kerala, four miscreants, who were in an inebriated state, allegedly splashed acid on a woman outside her residence. The acid attack victim is identified as Kausalya (20).

During the argument, a man approached Kausalya and threw acid on her. The four of them reportedly had an argument while the woman was watching them. And later they attacked her with acid.

The victim was rushed to Ramanathapuram government hospital for medical treatment. The incident took place on November 6, near Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. The police arrested the four miscreants.