Puri (Odisha) [India], August 3 : BJD MP Subhashish Khuntia has slammed the BJP government in Odisha for failing to arrest the miscreants who set on fire a 15-year-old girl in Puri, who died on Saturday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS New Delhi.
The BJD MP also urged the State government to announce a compensation of at least Rs 5 crores to the family of the victim.
"This is very sad...The police have not been able to arrest those behind this incident. The Odisha government has completely failed," Khuntia told ANI.
"The state government should announce a compensation of at least Rs 5 crores to the family of the victim," he added.
The girl was set on fire by unknown miscreants in the Balanga area of Odisha's Puri district on July 19. She had sustained 75 per cent burns and was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to AIIMS New Delhi, where she was admitted to the Burn ICU.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences.
In a post on X, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote, "I am deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of the girl victim in the Balangir incident. Despite all the efforts of the government and the round-the-clock endeavours of the specialist medical team at AIIMS Delhi, her life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of the girl's soul and beseech God to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss."
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida also reacted to the incident and called it "unexpected and unfortunate."
"Following an unexpected and unfortunate incident, the victim from Balangir, who was under treatment at Delhi AIIMS, has passed away. While praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul, I express my condolences to her family in this sorrowful situation. Despite all efforts by the medical team and the government, we are deeply saddened that she could not be saved," said Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida in a post on X.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, Odisha police urged people not to make any "sensitive comments" regarding this matter during this tragic moment, as the investigation has reached its final stage.
"As to the investigation conducted so far, it is clear that no other person is involved. Therefore, we request that everyone not make any sensitive comments regarding this matter during this tragic moment," the police said.
According to the police, the minor girl went out with her friends, but she was allegedly abducted midway and taken to the riverside, where she was set on fire. The victim reached someone's house from the incident spot, after which she was taken to the hospital by her cousin.