15-Year-Old Girl Set on Fire with Petrol by Three Attackers, Deputy CM Orders Strictest Action Against Culprits
Puri(The Uttam Hindu): In a spine-chilling incident that has shocked Odisha’s Puri district, a 15-year-old girl was doused with petrol and set ablaze by unidentified attackers while she was on her way to visit a friend’s house. The minor suffered nearly 70% burn injuries and remains in critical condition.
Local residents rushed to her rescue after hearing her screams, extinguished the flames, and immediately took her to a nearby hospital. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. The victim’s brother revealed that three men abducted her, dragged her near a riverside just 500 meters away from their home, and brutally poured petrol before setting her on fire. “We don’t know why they attacked her,” he said. A police case has been registered, and investigations are underway.
Taking swift action, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida expressed deep anguish over the heinous crime. She announced that the state government would bear all medical expenses and directed the police to arrest the culprits immediately.
Sharing her outrage on social media platform X, Parida wrote, “Deeply shocked and saddened by the horrifying incident in Balanga where a minor girl was set on fire by miscreants. She has been admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and the government will ensure her treatment is fully taken care of. The culprits will face the strictest punishment.” This shocking crime comes just days after another tragic case where a 20-year-old B.Ed student in Odisha self-immolated following alleged sexual harassment by her college HOD.