Odisha Rajgangpur girl student succumbs to burn injuries two days after ‘self-immolation’

A minor girl from Lanjiberna in Rajgangpur of Sundargarh district, who had sustained severe burns in an apparent self-immolation attempt, died late on Sunday night while undergoing treatment at Ispat General Hospital (IGH), Rourkela.

The girl, a Plus-3 second-year student of Sarbati Mahavidyalaya, had been battling for her life for nearly two days with burns covering an estimated 90 percent of her body.

Shifted To Rourkela For Specialised Care

According to sources, the girl was first taken to the Rourkela Government Hospital immediately after the incident on Saturday, before being shifted to IGH for specialised burn treatment because of the extent of injuries.

Medical teams at IGH placed her under intensive care, but she succumbed to her injuries late on Sunday night. Hospital authorities confirmed the death and said the body will be handed over to the police after the necessary procedures.

Police Detain A Youth; Probe Ongoing

Earlier yesterday afternoon, Rajgangpur police detained a youth in connection with the case, and he was being questioned.

Preliminary enquiries by the investigating team indicated the girl allegedly poured kerosene on herself and set herself on fire inside her home after an alleged dispute over the phone with this youth.

While police have yet to comment on the reported dispute, a human rights activist present at IGH Rourkela alleged that the girl was blackmailed and mentally pressured. The deceased’s mother has yet to confirm this allegation.

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Senior Officers On The Spot; Witness Statements Recorded

Senior police officials, including the Sundargarh Superintendent of Police, visited Lanjiberna to inspect the scene and oversee the investigation. Officers said they recorded statements from family members, neighbours and other witnesses, and conducted an on-site examination of the incident location.