Self-Immolation Crisis Grips Odisha’s Bargarh
13-year-old girl fights for life after self-immolation.
In a deeply distressing incident, a 13-year-old girl from Phiringmal village in Odisha’s Bargarh district allegedly set herself on fire at a local football ground, becoming the fourth such case in the state within a month. Found in a half-burnt state by villagers, the Class 8 student was immediately rushed to Bargarh district headquarters hospital, where she remains in critical condition. According to police, the girl used petrol to ignite herself, but the motives behind her desperate act are still under investigation, with authorities working to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
This alarming incident is part of a disturbing trend of self-immolation cases across Odisha since July. On July 12, a 20-year-old college student in Balasore set herself ablaze on her campus, succumbing to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 14. Just a week later, on July 19, a minor girl in Balanga was allegedly set on fire by three miscreants, suffering fatal burns and passing away at AIIMS Delhi on August 2. More recently, on August 6, the charred remains of a third-year undergraduate student were discovered in her home in Kendrapara, under the jurisdiction of Pattamundai (rural) police station. These consecutive tragedies have sent shockwaves through the state, raising urgent questions about underlying social, psychological, or systemic factors contributing to such extreme actions.
Local authorities, alongside social workers and mental health experts, are now intensifying efforts to investigate these cases, focusing on potential triggers such as domestic issues, societal pressures, or mental health challenges. Community leaders in Bargarh have called for increased awareness and support systems to prevent further incidents, emphasizing the need for accessible counseling services in rural areas. The police have assured a thorough probe into the Phiringmal case, with forensic teams collecting evidence from the site and interviewing witnesses to piece together the events leading up to the incident. Meanwhile, Odisha’s state government faces mounting pressure to address this emerging crisis, with activists urging the implementation of preventive measures, including public awareness campaigns and strengthened mental health infrastructure, to curb this tragic trend and protect vulnerable individuals.
Also Read: Kendrapara Tragedy: Honour Killing or Suicide? Death Mystery Deepens!
