Bhubaneswar: A day after the alleged self-immolation death of a 20-year-old girl in Odisha’s Kendrapada, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday voiced serious concern saying three young girls have lost their lives in similar circumstances within a month.
Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the incidents, the former Chief Minister said each fatal flame that consumed these innocent lives indicates a disturbing pattern in Odisha.
“Deeply saddened and anguished to know that another girl from Pattamundai, Kendrapara has set herself on fire in desperation after her pleas for justice fell on deaf ear yet again. My condolences for the young girl and prayers are with the family members in the hour grief,” Naveen, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, said in a post on X.
Terming the incidents as an outcome of a ‘terrible neglect’ by the state BJP government, Naveen said the three girls died in broad daylight as the apathetic administration failed to hear their screams at every turn.
Notably, the fresh self-immolation incident took place on Wednesday when the girl, a Plus Three final-year student of political science, was alone at home. Police said the body was found on the staircase of the house, indicating that the victim probably made a desperate bid to go to the terrace after setting herself on fire but could not open the door.
Deeply saddened and anguished to know that another girl from Pattamundai, Kendrapara has set herself on fire in desperation after her pleas for justice fell on deaf ear yet again. My condolences for the young girl and prayers are with the family members in the hour grief. May God…
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 7, 2025
