Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly criticised the ruling BJP government following a horrific incident in Puri district, where a 16-year-old girl was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants in broad daylight. The girl, a Plus 2 student, suffered severe burn injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
In a post on X, Patnaik expressed deep anguish and condemned the incident, saying, “Deeply anguished to know that a young girl was set on fire in Balanga area of Puri District. This attempt to kill her happened in broad daylight. I strongly condemn this horrible act.”
Referring to a string of recent attacks on women in the state, Patnaik said: “It has happened just within a week of the terrible incident of a young girl setting herself ablaze in FM College after she was denied justice—even after knocking on every door, and a month after the horrific incident in Gopalpur. Such unthinkable incidents against women are now being reported almost daily across Odisha.”
“Not Stray Cases of Violence”: Patnaik Points to Governance Failure
Calling it a systemic failure, Patnaik remarked, “These are not stray cases of violence. These incidents occurring with shocking regularity point to a deep systemic failure of governance. It shows that criminals have become emboldened under the present government and are not worried about being punished. It shows how Odisha is becoming highly unsafe for women due to government inaction and political patronage.”
He further questioned the silence of the government, asking: “Will the Odisha Government wake up from this deep slumber and take speedy action so that the criminals are arrested? And more importantly will the government respond so that such incidents are not repeated? The girls and women of #Odisha await a response.”
Congress Also Slams Government, Administration Promises Action
Congress leader Srikant Jena also condemned the incident and said, “Incidents are happening one after the other… Be it the CM or Administration, they do not have any sensitiveness.” He urged the government to bring strict laws that instil fear among such elements.
Puri District Magistrate Chanchal Rana confirmed that senior officials have been sent to the scene and that the government will bear all medical expenses. Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida also assured that strict punishment will be taken against the perpetrators.