Pipili: Tensions flared in Puri district today as workers of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) gheraoed the Balanga Police Station, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits responsible for setting ablaze a 15-year-old girl on Saturday. The demonstration led to fisticuffs between BJD workers and police personnel as the situation escalated.
The horrific incident, which occurred yesterday, saw a teenage girl allegedly intercepted by three unidentified individuals, forcibly taken to the banks of the Bhargavi River near Bayabar village, doused with an inflammable substance, and set on fire. The girl, who sustained critical burn injuries (reportedly 70-75% burns), is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, and her condition is stated to be stable, though still critical. The victim has been airlifted to AIIMS, Delhi, for specialized treatment.
The victim’s mother has filed a police complaint, alleging an attempt to murder her daughter. Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was premeditated, with police recovering a half-filled kerosene bottle and a matchbox from the scene. While police have launched a manhunt and detained some individuals for questioning, no arrests have been officially announced so far.
The BJD, along with other political parties including the Congress, has expressed strong outrage over the incident. Former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik condemned the act, stating that such incidents point to a “deep systemic failure of governance” and that criminals have become “emboldened.”
Today’s gherao at the Balanga Police Station underscores the growing public and political pressure on law enforcement to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. The confrontation highlights the intense emotions surrounding this brutal crime, which has deeply shaken the community and raised serious concerns about women’s safety in the state. Puri SP Pinak Mishra stated that a special team has been formed to investigate the case thoroughly. The Odisha government has assured that it will bear all expenses for the girl’s treatment.