Daijiworld Media Network - Puri
Puri, Jul 19: In another chilling reminder of rising crimes against women in Odisha, a teenage girl was brutally set on fire by three unidentified men near Balanga police station in Puri district on Saturday morning. The girl, who suffered 70% burn injuries, has been shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar and remains in critical condition.
Confirming the attack, Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said, “We received information about a minor girl being attacked and burned using an inflammable substance. She was rescued and immediately referred to AIIMS. We are probing the case from all possible angles, and anyone found involved will face the strictest action.”
The girl was reportedly on her way to return a book at a friend’s house when she was accosted by three men. According to a relative, the attackers dragged her towards a riverside area, rendered her unconscious, and then doused her with petrol before setting her on fire.
“When she regained partial consciousness, she found herself engulfed in flames and somehow managed to call for help from a nearby house,” the relative told the media, visibly shaken. “We still can’t believe this happened in broad daylight. Her condition is extremely serious. We want justice.”
The family said they were informed about the incident nearly half an hour after it occurred. The girl was quickly rushed from the village to AIIMS for advanced care.
This horrific case follows closely on the heels of another deeply disturbing incident in Odisha. Just days ago, a 20-year-old B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore died after setting herself on fire, alleging police inaction over her sexual harassment complaint against a senior faculty member. She suffered 95% burns and passed away at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, triggering state-wide protests and political condemnation.
The two back-to-back cases have sent shockwaves through Odisha, raising urgent concerns about the safety of women and girls in the state and putting pressure on law enforcement agencies and the government to act decisively.