Puri girl set on fire: 8 persons, including relatives, quizzed by police

Tensions escalated in Balanga in Puri district for the second consecutive day as police continued questioning eight individuals, including relatives of the 16-year-old burn victim from Bayabar village, in connection with the horrific attack on July 19.

The incident, in which the minor girl sustained 75% burn injuries, remains unsolved, with no arrests made so far, prompting a deepening police probe.

Police sources confirmed that the same eight individuals were questioned again on Sunday, after being interrogated and released the previous day.

Among those summoned are persons believed to be closely related to the victim, though investigators have not disclosed their identities or roles in the inquiry. A senior official said further rounds of questioning may continue as investigators try to reconstruct the events leading up to the attack.

Chaos Outside Balanga Police Station

Meanwhile, on Sunday afternoon, the victim was airlifted from Bhubaneswar to AIIMS Delhi. A special green corridor was created as she was escorted along with a medical team amid high security arrangements.

Even as the victim was being airlifted to AIIMS Delhi for advanced treatment, protests erupted outside the Balanga police station, where local BJD leaders and party workers gathered to demand immediate arrests of the culprits.

BJD Issues Ultimatum: Highway Blockade Threat Looms

A scuffle broke out between protestors and the police after demonstrators attempted to storm the station, alleging administrative inaction and delay in justice. The situation remained tense throughout Sunday, with additional forces deployed to maintain order.

Addressing the media, Puri district BJD president Umakanta Samantaray issued a stern warning, saying the party will block the Puri–Bhubaneswar National Highway if the accused are not arrested within 24 hours.