3 men waylay 15-yr-old girl, set her ablaze in Puri | India News

BHUBANESWAR/PURI: Three men on a bike waylaid a 15-year-old girl a kilometre from her home, poured kerosene over her and set her afire, in Odisha’s Puri district on Saturday. The girl is fighting for her life at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. A 14-member medical team has been formed for her treatment.The attack took place around 8:30am, when the girl, a Class IX dropout, was walking to a relative’s house. The accused forcibly took her to the banks of Bhargavi river, set her ablaze and fled as she screamed in pain.The girl ran towards a house and asked for help. “I was shocked to see her on fire. I doused the flames… I enquired about her family and asked them to come immediately. Then, we called an ambulance and police. They took her to hospital,” said a man who helped the teen first. AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Ashutosh Biswas said the girl’s condition is critical. “She sustained 70-75 percent burns and is traumatised. She needs cardiovascular care. She is in ICU with oxygen support, but not on a ventilator. Our priority is to keep her blood pressure under control. We can speak about the outcome of treatment after 48 hours. Till then, we will observe her closely and monitor her vitals. The patient is conscious and speaking,” he added.Authorities are racing against time to find out the motive behind the attack and identify the perpetrators, with initial suspicions pointing towards a relationship gone sour. “A scientific team has reached the crime scene. A special squad has also been formed to nab the accused,” said Puri SP Pinak Mishra. Police are scrutinising CCTV footages.Police found a bottle at the crime spot, believed to have been used to carry kerosene. The girl’s statement was recorded in the presence of a magistrate. Her mother has lodged a formal police complaint. Meanwhile, deputy CM Pravati Parida said, “I am deeply saddened and shocked. The govt will bear all expenses of her treatment.”