In a tragic incident on August 11, morning a 13 year old girl died setting herself on fire in Bargarh district of Odisha. This is the fourth such incident reported in the state within a month, following similar incidents in Balasore, Balanga, and Kendrapara.
The girl who was visiting her maternal aternal uncle’s house on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Where she found unconscious with severe burns in a football field at Firingimal village in Bargarh. She than rushed to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Police stated that she used patrol to set fire herself, though the reason behind the incident is not known yet. “The cause behind the self-immolation is not yet clear,” officials stated.
The police stated, “The reason behind the self-immolation is not yet known. The victim, a class 8 student, used petrol to set herself on fire,” PTI reported.
Bolangir SP Abilash G, currently overseeing Bargarh district, said, “The girl died from severe burn injuries at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla. We are investigating the reasons behind her taking such an extreme step.”
Villagers raised concerns after the Ambulance took more than 45 minutes to reach the spot, NDTV reported.
During the wait, locals provided first aid and repeatedly appealed for help. The community has criticised both the ambulance services and police for their slow response.
The victim, believed to be from the Tendapatar area, had not yet been the subject of an official statement from her family. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether foul play was involved.
Odisha, Earlier Similar Incidents that took place
- July 12 – A 20-year-old woman student in Balasore set herself on fire at her college campus and died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 14.
- July 19 – A minor girl in Balanga allegedly set ablaze by three men and later died at AIIMS Delhi on August 2.
- August 6 – A third-year undergraduate student in Kendrapara was found dead, her body charred, inside her home under Pattamundai (Rural) police station limits.
