15-Year-Old Girl Set on Fire in Puri’s Balanga, Sparks Outrage and Political Protests

Brutal Attack Near Bhargavi River

In a shocking incident that has ignited widespread outrage across Odisha, a 15-year-old Class 9 student was set on fire by three unidentified teenagers in Balanga village under Nimapada tehsil of Puri district. The attack occurred just before 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, near a deserted stretch along the Bhargavi River, approximately 1.5 km from the girl’s home in Nuagopalpur Bustee.

According to police reports, the girl was on her way to a friend’s house when three assailants on motorcycles intercepted her. They allegedly dragged her to the riverbank, doused her with what is suspected to be petrol, and set her ablaze before fleeing. Locals, alerted by her screams, rushed to rescue her, extinguished the flames, and transported her to Pipili Community Health Centre. She was later shifted to the Burns Unit at AIIMS Bhubaneswar due to the severity of her injuries.

Victim in Critical Condition at AIIMS Bhubaneswar

The adolescent sustained 70% burn injuries on her torso, abdomen, and back and remains in critical condition. A 14-member medical team, led by Dr. Sanjay Giri and including specialists like Prof. Anupam Dey and Dr. Manoj Panigrahi, is overseeing her treatment. Though conscious, she is unable to speak clearly due to the trauma.

To ensure a sterile environment and prevent infections, the AIIMS Burns Unit has been sealed off from public access, and the area has been placed under strict police security. Hospital authorities have put up barricades and notices urging the public to avoid crowding near the ward.

Women’s Congress Protests at Deputy CM’s Residence

The attack has sparked furious protests, particularly from the Odisha unit of the Women’s Congress. Led by state president Minakshi Bahinipati, party workers demonstrated outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in Bhubaneswar, hurling tomatoes as a symbolic protest against the government’s failure to prevent such crimes.

Police detained several Congress activists, escalating tensions in the capital. Odisha Congress president Srikant Jena condemned the BJP-led state government, stating, “Crimes against women happen every day. The government remains apathetic. We need laws that strike fear into criminals.”

Government Response and Ongoing Investigation

Deputy CM Pravati Parida, who also heads the Women and Child Development Department, expressed her anguish in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “I am saddened and shocked to hear that miscreants poured petrol on a fifteen-year-old girl and set her on fire in Balanga.” She assured the public that the state would bear all medical expenses and urged the police to swiftly arrest the culprits.

Puri SP Pinak Mishra has constituted a special investigation team comprising forensic experts and is examining CCTV footage and material evidence, including the victim’s charred clothes. No arrests have been made so far, and the motive remains unclear. Police officials confirmed there is no indication of any personal enmity.

District Administration Pledges Support

Puri District Collector Chanchal Rana has promised full legal and financial assistance to the victim’s family. “Senior officials are monitoring the case closely,” he stated. The victim’s father told media that he had no knowledge of the attackers. “We have no personal enemies. I just pray for my daughter’s recovery and urge the government to act decisively.”

Pattern of Violence Raises Alarm

This horrific case follows closely on the heels of the July 12 self-immolation of a college student in Balasore, drawing further attention to the growing crisis of violence against women in Odisha. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to X to denounce the attack, calling it a “systemic failure of governance.”

Demand for Institutional Reform and Women’s Safety Post

Both the BJD and the Congress have renewed calls for the state to appoint a dedicated official for women’s affairs—a post that has remained vacant for over a year. The demand comes amid increasing pressure on the government to implement urgent institutional reforms to protect women and address Odisha’s deepening crisis of gender-based violence.