Normal life in Odisha’s Puri district was disrupted on Thursday as the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a six-hour bandh from 6 AM to noon, demanding justice for a 15-year-old girl who died of burn injuries in Balanga on August 2. Protesters, led by BJD’s Puri district president Umakanta Samantray and MLA Sunil Mohanty, blocked roads, burned tyres, and blew conch shells—the party’s symbol—while urging shopkeepers to shutter businesses in protest. The bandh, which spared emergency services and vehicles carrying Lord Jagannath devotees, aimed to highlight alleged police inaction and rising crimes against women in Odisha.

The girl, a Class 10 student, was allegedly set on fire on July 19 near the Bhargavi River. Her mother’s FIR claimed three unidentified assailants doused her with an inflammable substance, but Odisha Police later stated their investigation found no third-party involvement. The victim’s father, in a video statement, said she took her life due to mental distress, a claim BJD leaders called contradictory, alleging pressure on the family to change their narrative. “The police are shielding culprits,” Samantray charged, pointing to inconsistencies in the investigation.

The teen, who sustained over 75% burn injuries, was rushed to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar and later airlifted to AIIMS-Delhi, where she succumbed after a 14-day battle. Her body was brought back to Odisha on August 4 amid tight security, with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida paying tribute. The incident has fueled statewide outrage, with BJD and Congress slamming the BJP-led government for failing to ensure women’s safety. BJD MP Niranjan Bishi called it a “grave law and order failure,” while former CM Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences, urging swift justice.

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The BJD vowed to escalate protests across Odisha, with Mohanty claiming “15 women and girls are raped daily” under the current regime. The bandh reflects growing public frustration and demands for transparency in the Balanga case, as locals and opposition parties press for accountability.

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