‘She managed to escape, sought help at a house’: Cousin recalls horror as minor girl set ablaze in Odisha
Puri, Odisha: The family of the 15-year-old girl who was brutally set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Puri has reacted with grief and outrage, demanding the death penalty for those responsible.
The girl, who suffered 70% burn injuries, is currently battling for her life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
According to police, the 15-year-old girl has suffered 70 per cent burn injuries and has been referred to AIIMS Bhubaneshwar for further medical treatment.
Speaking to the reporters, SP Pinak Mishra said, "This morning, Balanga Police Station received information about a minor girl who was attacked and assaulted by some individuals, and some inflammable substance was used to set her on fire. She has been referred to AIIMS Odisha after rescue."
"We immediately took note of the incident. If anyone is found to be associated with this crime, strict action will be taken. We are investigating the case from multiple angles," he added.
The victim's relative, speaking to the media, expressed shock over the brutality and demanded strict action against the culprits. "The girl is like a sister to me. We were shocked when we received the news through the media. No one in our village could initially believe such a thing had happened," he said.
"We filed a Police complaint, investigation is underway. We demand the death penalty for the culprits...We don't know who the accused are. She saw them, and she would be able to speak better. Doctors have said that she suffered 70% burns. They have told us that she is critical, but we should be patient", the cousin said.
The minor girl went out with her friends, but she was abducted midway and taken to the riverside, where she was set on fire, according to her cousin.
The victim reached someone's house from the incident spot, after which she was taken to the hospital by her cousin. Later, the victim was referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she is undergoing treatment.
"Around 8.30 am, she was going to her friends. She was abducted midway, taken to a riverside and set on fire. She returned from there somehow and reached someone's house. They clothed her and called us up. I reached there, received her and took her to the hospital, they referred her to AIIMS," the family member said.
The incident took place under the Balanda police station in the Nimapada block of Puri.