TV
Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the brutal attack on a teenage girl in the Balanga area of Puri district, expressing deep anguish over the incident.
In a sharply worded statement, he said, “Deeply anguished to know that a young girl was set on fire in Balanga area of Puri District. This attempt to kill her happened in broad daylight. I strongly condemn this horrible act.”
A 16-year-old Plus II student was allegedly set on fire by three unidentified youths on Saturday morning while she was on her way to deliver books to a friend in the Bayabar area of Nimapada Tehsil, Puri district.
The incident occurred around 8:30 am along a deserted stretch near the Bhargavi River road, where the trio reportedly intercepted the girl, lifted her, and set her ablaze before fleeing the spot. Locals rushed to her aid after hearing her screams and seeing the flames.
She sustained critical burn injuries on her hands, legs, and parts of her torso and was first taken to Pipili CHC, later referred to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar due to the severity of her condition. The victim is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
Mentions Pattern of Violence Across Odisha
Patnaik linked the incident to a broader pattern of crimes against women in the state, referring to recent cases that have shaken the public conscience.
“It has happened just within a week of the terrible incident of a young girl setting herself ablaze in FM College, after she was denied justice, even after knocking on every door, and a month after the horrific incident in Gopalpur,” he noted.
Calls It a Governance Failure
Highlighting the growing frequency of such crimes, Patnaik stated, “Such unthinkable incidents against women are now being reported almost daily across #Odisha. These are not stray cases of violence. These incidents occurring with shocking regularity point to a deep systemic failure of governance. It shows that criminals have become emboldened under the present government and are not worried about being punished.”
Demands Immediate Government Response
Patnaik accused the current administration of inaction and political patronage, which he said is making Odisha increasingly unsafe for women. “It shows how Odisha is becoming highly unsafe for women due to government inaction and political patronage.”
Questioning the state’s response, he asked, “Will the Odisha Govt wake up from this deep slumber and take speedy action so that the criminals are arrested? And more importantly, will the government respond so that such incidents are not repeated?.”
Earlier, Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida also termed the incident as deeply tragic. She announced strict punitive measures against those responsible and directed law enforcement to arrest the accused immediately.
She further assured that the Odisha government will bear the full cost of the victim's treatment at AIIMS, where the victim will now be referred to. Parida is also expected to visit AIIMS personally to meet with the young girl and assess her condition.
