Odisha student self-immolation: CM Majhi promises crackdown

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi promised Sunday the "strictest action" against those responsible for forcing a 20-year-old college student in Balasore to set herself on fire, alleging administrative neglect in addressing her complaints of sexual harassment against an assistant professor.Majhi visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where the woman, who suffered 90-95 per cent burns, is on ventilator support in the ICU. He said the medical team is working in virtual coordination with AIIMS Delhi specialists. Airlifting the student to Delhi is under consideration, depending on her stability. "We are trying to save her," he said.Majhi met her parents. "The government is treating this with utmost seriousness. A higher education department committee has begun ground-level investigation. Immediate action has been taken, and more will follow based on the probe," he said.AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Dr Ashutosh Biswas said the woman's condition remains critical, with multiple organs affected. "The next 24-48 hours are crucial. A multidisciplinary team, anaesthesia, pulmonary medicine, surgery, critical care, plastic surgery, nephrology, nursing, is overseeing her care," he said.The student had accused the faculty member of months of harassment, threats to fail her, and demands for sexual favours. She set herself ablaze outside the college gate at Saturday noon.