A 15-year-old girl was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified miscreants in Odisha’s Puri district on Saturday morning while she was on her way to visit a friend. The shocking incident has triggered outrage across the state and renewed concerns over women's safety.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near the Bhargavi riverbank in a relatively isolated area under the jurisdiction of Balanga Police Station. The assailants reportedly followed the girl and attacked her with petrol before setting her ablaze. They fled the scene immediately after the attack.
Local residents, alerted by the girl’s screams, rushed to the spot and rescued her. She was first taken to the Pipili hospital and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for advanced treatment. Hospital officials have confirmed that the girl sustained over 40% burn injuries.
Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also oversees the Women and Child Development Department, strongly condemned the incident and assured support for the victim and her family. “I am deeply saddened and distressed to hear the news. The girl has been shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and all arrangements for her treatment are being made. The state government will bear all medical expenses. I have instructed the police to arrest the culprits immediately and take strict action against them,” she stated.
The Puri police have begun an investigation and formed a special team to track down the perpetrators. Authorities say all angles are being explored. “This is a very sensitive matter. A special team has been formed, and an investigation has been launched from all possible angles. I assure that stern action will be taken against all those involved in this incident,” said Puri SP Pinak Mishra.
The attack follows another disturbing incident in the state where a college student died by setting herself on fire after her complaints of sexual harassment by a professor were allegedly ignored. The incidents have ignited widespread outrage and cast a spotlight on the broader issue of women’s safety in Odisha.
