Bhubaneswar
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik expressed deep sorrow over the brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl in Odisha’s Puri district, where she was set on fire by unknown assailants, suffering 70% burns. The girl is currently being treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Patnaik called this a sign of a serious failure in governance, as such violent attacks on women have become alarmingly frequent in Odisha. He mentioned recent tragedies, including the self-immolation of a college student after she was denied justice following sexual harassment, and a gang-rape case in Gopalpur. Patnaik criticized the government for inaction and political support to criminals, saying Odisha is becoming unsafe for women. He urged the state government to take swift action to arrest the culprits and prevent such incidents from happening again, emphasizing that women in Odisha deserve protection and justice.