A 15-year-old girl was set ablaze by three unidentified miscreants in Bayabar village under Balanga police limits in Puri district on Saturday morning.
According to reports, the incident took place while the girl was returning home from a friend’s house. The miscreants ambushed her and set her on fire under shocking circumstances and fled from the spot. Despite suffering severe injuries, she managed to escape and ran to seek help from local residents. By that time, 70% of her body had been burned. She was initially admitted to Pipili Hospital and was later transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.
The incident has sparked widespread panic and outrage in the Balanga region. Police have initiated an investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Security in the area has been heightened as the community reels from the traumatic event.
Meanwhile, forensic teams have recovered two half-filled kerosene bottles and burnt clothes belonging to the minor victim—indicators that point towards a premeditated act. Sources further reveal that a matchstick was also found nearby, intensifying concerns around the circumstances of the incident.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed profound grief over the attack, assuring immediate medical care and legal action. In an X post, she said,
“I’m deeply saddened and shocked to hear that in the Balanga region, some miscreants poured petrol on a 15-year-old girl and set her on fire in broad daylight. She was immediately shifted to AIIMS Hospital in Bhubaneswar, where all necessary arrangements have been made for her treatment. The government will bear the entire cost of her medical care. Orders have been issued to the police administration to arrest the culprits immediately and take strict action.”
ବଳଙ୍ଗା ଅଂଚଳ ରେ କିଛି ଦୁର୍ବୁତ୍ତ ଏକ ପନ୍ଦର ବର୍ଷୀୟା ଝିଅ କୁ ରାସ୍ତା ରେ ପେଟ୍ରୋଲ ଢାଳି ନିଆଁ ଲଗାଇଦେବା ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ବ୍ୟଥିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ। ଝିଅ କୁ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ସ୍ଥିତ AIIMS ହସ୍ପିଟାଲ କୁ ତୁରନ୍ତ ସ୍ଥାନାନ୍ତରିତ କରାଯାଇଛି ଓ ତାହାର ଚିକିତ୍ସା ର ସମସ୍ତ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା କରାଯାଉଛି। ଚିକିତ୍ସା ର ସମସ୍ତ ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ ସରକାର ବହନ କରିବେ।…
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) July 19, 2025
Puri’s SP-in-charge, Pinak Mishra, confirmed the incident and stated that a police team is on-site to investigate and apprehend the accused. “We have not received any complaints regarding this matter, and local villagers have been hesitant to provide any information,” he added.
Sources close to the girl’s family said they have no personal enmity with anyone.
Puri District Collector Chanchal Rana has expressed deep sorrow over the horrific incident.
He stated, “This incident is being treated with utmost seriousness. The victim has been admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for medical treatment. Discussions are underway with AIIMS authorities to ensure the best possible care. Senior administrative officials have been sent to visit the victim’s home. All legal assistance will be provided to ensure justice for the girl. The family will receive complete financial support, and the entire cost of treatment will be borne by the state government. A thorough investigation is underway, and strong action will be taken against the culprits.”
BJD leader Ipsita Sahoo launched a sharp critique of the Odisha government’s handling of women’s safety following a horrifying incident in Deputy CM Pravati Parida’s constituency. Addressing media persons on Saturday, Sahoo condemned the broad daylight attack on a minor girl, who was allegedly set ablaze by three men. “Imagine the condition in Odisha today,” she said, adding that law and order have drastically deteriorated, especially for women. Highlighting administrative inertia, she noted that the Odisha State Women Commissioner’s post has remained vacant for over a year. In protest, BJD leaders held a symbolic strike in front of the Commission’s office, demanding accountability and an urgent institutional response.
This incident unfolds just days after the distressing episode at Balasore FM College, where a B.Ed student reportedly self-immolated following alleged harassment by the Head of Department.
