NEW DELHI: A 15-year-old girl who was brutally set on fire by miscreants on June 19 in Balanga, Puri district of Odisha, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday despite weeks of critical care.The girl, who sustained over 75% burn injuries, was initially admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar and later airlifted to AIIMS New Delhi. She was received at 4:20 pm and kept in the Burn ICU of the Burns and Plastic Surgery block, where doctors said her condition remained critical and she required constant oxygen support.In a statement, AIIMS Delhi confirmed she was under the close watch of a team of specialists but could not be revived.Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi posted on X saying, “I am deeply shocked to hear the news… Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavours of the specialist medical team at AIIMS Delhi, her life could not be saved…”
The incident took place when the girl was on her way to a relative’s home. She was reportedly abducted, taken to an isolated spot near the Bhargabi riverbank, and set ablaze after being doused in an inflammable substance. Locals rushed to her aid and informed authorities.Police officials are still investigating and searching for the attackers. The Odisha government had earlier announced it would bear the cost of her treatment.This case follows closely on the heels of another tragic incident in Balasore, where a 20-year-old college student died by self-immolation after accusing a faculty member of sexual harassment, triggering nationwide protests.
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