Outrage in Odisha After Teen Girl Set on Fire in Shocking Incident

Serious Concerns Over Women's Safety in Odisha

Recent events in Odisha have raised alarming questions regarding the safety of women. Following a tragic incident where a 20-year-old student set herself on fire in Balasore, another horrifying case has emerged from Puri. On Saturday, July 19, a 15-year-old girl was reportedly doused with kerosene and set ablaze by three assailants, resulting in severe burns covering over 70% of her body. She has been transferred to AIIMS in Delhi for advanced medical care. This heinous act has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha.

Eyewitness Account Reveals Disturbing Details

In an interview with a news media outlet, eyewitness Dukhshyam Senapati provided a chilling account of the crime. He recounted that the attackers bound the girl's hands and stuffed cloth in her mouth before setting her on fire.

Senapati stated, 'The girl ran towards my house engulfed in flames, her hands tied, and she was severely burned. My wife, daughter, and I extinguished the fire and gave her new clothes. I spoke with her, and she mentioned that she lived in a nearby village.' He added, 'We couldn't hear anything as her mouth was covered, and her hands were bound. She told me that three individuals on two motorcycles forcibly brought her here, poured kerosene on her, and set her ablaze.'

Incident Details and Police Response

According to police reports, this gruesome incident occurred in Bayabar village while the girl was on her way to a friend's house. Three unidentified youths stopped her, splashed what is believed to be kerosene on her, and fled the scene after igniting her. The girl is now able to speak, and her statement has been recorded by the police, accelerating the investigation. Her mother has filed a complaint, revealing that her daughter had dropped out of school and that her father works as a mechanic.

Medical Treatment and Emergency Response

The teenager from Puri was transported to AIIMS in Delhi today for better treatment. Police Deputy Commissioner Jagmohan Meena informed the media that a green corridor was established to facilitate her transfer from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to Biju Patnaik International Airport. The ambulance covered the 11-kilometer distance in just 12 minutes, and an air ambulance then took her to the national capital.

Ashutosh Biswas, the Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, stated before her departure, 'The patient's condition is stable, and her blood pressure, which was low yesterday, has improved. She can be safely transferred.' According to doctors, approximately 70% of her body has been burned, and a team of 14 specialized doctors has been assembled for her care.

Political Reactions and Calls for Action

The incident has triggered a wave of political reactions across the state. Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Manjhi expressed his deep sorrow over the Puri incident and stated he would pray to Lord Jagannath for the girl's swift recovery.

The opposition party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led state government. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remarked that this incident occurred within a week of the Balasore tragedy, highlighting a disturbing trend.

Patnaik criticized the government, stating, 'Such unimaginable incidents against women are now occurring almost daily across Odisha. These are not isolated cases of violence. The alarming frequency of these events points to a profound systemic failure in governance. It indicates that under the current administration, criminals feel emboldened and are unconcerned about facing justice. This reflects how unsafe Odisha has become for women due to governmental inaction and political protection.'

He questioned, 'Will the Odisha government awaken from this deep slumber and take swift action to apprehend the criminals? More importantly, will the government implement measures to prevent such incidents from recurring? The girls and women of Odisha await answers.' The police have intensified their investigation and are actively searching for the perpetrators, as calls for justice resonate throughout the state.