New Delhi [India], August 3 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his condolences over the death of a 15-year-old girl who died while undergoing treatment in AIIMS after she was allegedly set on fire by miscreants in the Balanga area of Odisha's Puri district on June 19.
The girl, who had sustained 75 per cent burns, was airlifted from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to AIIMS New Delhi on July 19 and was admitted to the Burn ICU.
In a post on X, Pradhan said, "I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear the news of the demise of the minor who was under treatment due to an unfortunate incident in the Balanga area of Puri district. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul and express my condolences to the grieving family. May the Lord Jagannath grant immense patience and courage to the family during this difficult time. Om Shanti."
https://x.com/dpradhanbjp/status/1951668855518187679
Earlier, 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.