Bhubaneswar/ New Delhi, July 20: The 15-year-old girl who was set ablaze by miscreants in Balanga, Puri, remains in a critical condition and is currently on oxygen support at the Burn ICU of AIIMS Delhi, the hospital confirmed on Saturday.
She was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to the national capital at 4:20 PM on Sunday for advanced treatment. “The patient, with 75% burn injuries, is admitted to the Burns and Plastic Surgery block. Her condition is critical, and she is on oxygen support. A team of doctors is closely monitoring her,” said an official statement from AIIMS Delhi.
The horrific incident occurred in the jurisdiction of Balanga police station under the Nimapada block of Puri district. According to the victim’s cousin, the teenager had gone out with friends when she was allegedly abducted and taken to a riverside location by unidentified assailants, who then set her on fire. Despite suffering severe burns, she managed to reach a nearby house for help and was rushed to the hospital.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former MP Amar Patnaik strongly condemned the incident, raising serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Odisha. “Incidents like these are becoming increasingly frequent. It’s creating a perception that there is no law and order in the state. Criminals act with impunity,” Patnaik told ANI. “The girl was simply walking when she was pulled aside, tied to a tree, and set on fire—in broad daylight. This is horrifying.”
He demanded swift and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators, stating, “Such strict action must be taken that it deters any future crimes of this nature.”
This brutal case follows closely on the heels of another tragic incident in Balasore, where a female student from FM (Auto) College attempted self-immolation on July 12. She suffered over 90% burns and succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 14.
