Odisha shocker: Miscreants set 15-year-old girl on fire, in critical condition

NEW DELHI: A 15-year-old girl was set on fire by three miscreants in Odisha's Puri district, police said on Saturday.

The girl is in critical condition and was admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

The incident occurred in Bayabar village when the girl was walking to her friend's house.


The attackers poured petrol on her and set her ablaze before fleeing the scene. Local residents rushed to help the victim, extinguished the fire and transported her to the hospital.

Puri district magistrate Chanchal Rana told news agency ANI, "We received information about an unfortunate incident under Balanda PS in Nimapada block, where a 16-year-old girl was set ablaze. She has suffered burn injuries. We contacted AIIMS and trauma and emergency care arrangements have been made."

Chanchal Rana assured that the administration will provide financial assistance for the treatment. He added that police will take necessary actions against perpetrators.

"Police and District Administration have taken this matter very seriously. Senior officials have been sent to the spot. All kinds of financial assistance that would be required will be borne by the District Administration and the Government. We hope and pray that she recovers soon. Police will take all necessary actions," Chanchal Rana said.



Saddened and shocked: Pravati Parida

"I am saddened and shocked to hear the news that some miscreants at Balanga in Puri district poured petrol on a fifteen-year-old girl on the road and set her on fire," deputy chief minister Pravati Parida posted on X.

"The girl has been immediately shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and all arrangements are being made for her treatment. All the expenses of the treatment will be borne by the government. The police administration has been directed to arrest the culprits immediately and take strict action," Parida added.

Police have arrived at the village and launched an investigation into the incident.

Deeply anguished: Naveen Patnaik

Meanwhile, former CM Naveen Patnaik issued a scathing statement, calling out the state government over rising crimes against women.

In a post on 'X' he wrote, "Deeply anguished to know that a young girl was set on fire in Balanga area of Puri District. This attempt to kill her happened in broad daylight. I strongly condemn this horrible act."

"It has happened just within a week of the terrible incident of a young girl setting herself ablaze in FM College after she was denied justice--even after knocking on every door, and a month after the horrific incident in Gopalpur," he said.

"Such unthinkable incidents against women are now being reported almost daily across #Odisha. These are not stray cases of violence. These incidents occurring with shocking regularity point to a deep systemic failure of governance. It shows that criminals have become emboldened under the present government and are not worried about being punished," Patnaik added further.

"It shows how Odisha is becoming highly unsafe for women due to government inaction and political patronage."

"Will the Odisha Govt wake up from this deep slumber and take speedy action so that the criminals are arrested? And more importantly will the government respond so that such incidents are not repeated? The girls and women of #Odisha await a response," he concluded.