Bhubaneswar, July 19: The Commissionerate Police on Saturday declared the area surrounding the burn ward of AIIMS Bhubaneswar a restricted zone under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The move came after workers from the BJP, Congress, and BJD clashed near the hospital, where a 15-year-old burn victim is undergoing critical care following a brutal attack in Puri’s Balanga area.

As political workers gathered outside the hospital this evening to protest and demand justice, the situation escalated into a heated confrontation. Police issued loudspeaker alerts and began clearing protestors from the hospital premises to prevent disruption and reduce the risk of infection.

Three platoons of police have been deployed to maintain order, and hospital authorities have appealed to the public to avoid congregating near the entry and lobby areas.

The enforcement of BNS 163 prohibits unauthorized gatherings and aims to ensure uninterrupted medical treatment for the victim, who has sustained 70–75% third-degree burns and remains in the ICU with oxygen support.

AIIMS Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas stated that the next 48 hours are vital for her survival, as doctors monitor her blood pressure and organ function.

The Odisha government has pledged full support for the victim’s treatment and is considering airlifting her to AIIMS Delhi if her condition stabilizes.

Meanwhile, a 14-member medical panel continues to oversee the victim’s care, and her statement has already been recorded under BNSS Section 180 in the presence of police and a magistrate.

The incident, which occurred in Puri’s Balanga area, involved three unidentified assailants who allegedly abducted the girl and set her ablaze near a river embankment.

The attack has sparked widespread outrage across Odisha, with demands for swift justice and stronger measures to protect women and children.