Bhubaneswar- Former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has lashed out at the BJP-led state government, holding it responsible for what he calls a deepening crisis in law and order, particularly concerning women’s safety. His statement follows the recent brutal attack on a minor girl in Bayabar village under Puri district, where the victim was allegedly kidnapped and set ablaze by three unidentified men in broad daylight.
Patnaik took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his anguish, warning that the alarming rise in such crimes signals more than just isolated incidents. He pointed to a disturbing trend that includes the tragic self-immolation of a girl student in Balasore’s FM College and another heinous crime in Gopalpur. “These are not stray cases,” he wrote. “Such horrific incidents, happening with frightening regularity, reveal Odisha is becoming dangerously unsafe for women under the current regime.”
In a chilling development, the cousin of the victim narrated the horrifying sequence of events. According to his account, the 15-year-old girl was on her way to a friend’s house around 7:30 AM when she was allegedly kidnapped by three men. They tied her hands and face, doused her in a flammable liquid, and set her on fire. Despite being engulfed in flames, the brave girl managed to run nearly a kilometre to a nearby house for help before collapsing. She was rushed to Pipili hospital and later referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she remains in critical condition with nearly 70% burn injuries.
The victim was reportedly unable to recognize or describe her attackers due to the severity of her condition. The crime scene, located just 500 meters from her home and about 5 to 7 kilometers from the Balanga police station, has once again brought into question the responsiveness of local law enforcement.
Patnaik questioned the government’s slow response and demanded urgent action to ensure the safety of women across Odisha. He stressed the need for swift arrests and systemic reforms to prevent such crimes from recurring. “Will the Odisha Government continue to remain silent as women and girls are attacked in broad daylight? The people of Odisha, especially its daughters, deserve immediate and decisive action,” he said.
His remarks have intensified public pressure on the current administration, as political tensions mount and public outrage grows louder over the lack of security for women in the state. The police, along with a scientific investigation team, have begun probing the case, but for many, the question remains—how many more such tragedies will it take before real change arrives?
