Bhubaneswar, July 19: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Saturday announced that the state government will bear all the medical expenses of the Plus-II girl student, who was allegedly set on fire by some miscreants in Nimapara block of Odisha's Puri district this morning.
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Expressing anguish over the incident, Parida also directed the police authorities to apprehend the culprits without delay and ensure stringent action is taken against them.
Taking to her official ‘X’ handle, Parida wrote, “I am deeply saddened and disturbed to hear that some miscreants allegedly set a 15-year-old girl on fire by pouring petrol on her in the Balanga area. The girl has been immediately transferred to AIIMS Hospital in Bhubaneswar with approximately 70% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burns, where all necessary medical treatment is being provided. The government will bear all the medical expenses for her treatment.”
“I have instructed the police administration to arrest the culprits immediately and take strict action against them,” she added.
Notably, the incident took place in Bayabar village around 5-7 km from Balanga police station when the girl was walking to her friend's house and three unidentified youths on a motorcycle stopped her on the way.
Thereafter, they allegedly took her to a riverbank and set her on fire after pouring a flammable substance on her.
The girl managed to escape from the attackers and ran to a house in the nearby village of Terahal, where she sought refuge.
She suffered burns on her hands, legs, and body and was initially rushed Pipili Hospital for treatment. Later, she was transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar as health condition deteriorated.
Upon getting the information, Balanga police arrived at the scene and began their investigation.
