In a horrifying act of violence, unidentified miscreants set a 16-year-old girl ablaze in the Balanda police station area of Nimapada block, Puri district.
The incident occurred in broad daylight and left the minor with severe burn injuries. Authorities rushed her to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
Puri District Magistrate Chanchal Rana confirmed the incident and assured immediate support from the district administration.
“We received information about this tragic case. She suffered major burn injuries, and the authorities arranged emergency care at AIIMS. Senior officials have reached the spot, and all necessary financial support for her treatment will be provided,” Rana told ANI.
He emphasised that the police and district authorities are taking the matter seriously and promised that strong legal action will follow.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida condemned the attack and promised strict punishment for those responsible.
“I am shocked and saddened. Miscreants set a girl on fire in the Balanga area. Authorities have shifted her to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and the government will cover all medical expenses. I have instructed the police to arrest the culprits immediately and initiate stringent action,” she said in a statement.
Ipsita Sahoo, a leader from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), blamed the worsening law and order situation for women in Odisha.
“Three men set a girl on fire in the Deputy CM’s constituency. The condition of women’s safety in Odisha is alarming. We are protesting today in front of the State Women’s Commission, which has had a vacant chairperson post for over a year,” she said.
This case follows closely on the heels of another shocking event, where a 20-year-old college student attempted self-immolation on her campus on July 12 after allegedly facing sexual harassment by her college’s Head of Department.
She succumbed to her injuries on July 14 at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
A University Grants Commission (UGC) fact-finding team has already visited Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore to investigate that case.
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