Congress Demands Arrests in Balanga Minor Burn Case, Threatens DGP Office Gherao
(OT Webdesk)The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state police, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the brutal attack on a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri district.
The minor, who was allegedly abducted and set ablaze by three unidentified men on July 19, succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Delhi after undergoing multiple surgeries.
OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das condemned the Odisha police for their failure to apprehend the culprits despite two weeks of investigation.
He warned that if justice is not delivered within the stipulated time, Congress will stage a mass protest outside the Director General of Police (DGP) office.
Das described the incident as a “black mark” on the state’s governance and accused the BJP-led administration of shielding criminals and failing to ensure women’s safety.
He also demanded a judicial probe and transparency in the investigation, citing the lack of public access to the victim’s recorded statements.
The Balanga case has intensified scrutiny of the Mohan Majhi-led government, especially in the wake of another incident in Balasore, where a student self-immolated after alleged sexual harassment.
Das alleged systemic failure and deliberate cover-up, warning of statewide protests if the government continues to delay justice.
