New Delhi, Aug 2: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday expressed deep grief over the death of the minor girl from Balanga in Odisha’s Puri district, who succumbed to severe burn injuries at AIIMS Delhi.

In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Pradhan conveyed his condolences and prayed for strength to the grieving family.

ପୁରୀ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ବଳଙ୍ଗା ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଅଭାବନୀୟ ଘଟଣାରେ ଚିକିତ୍ସାଧୀନ ଥିବା ନାବାଳିକାଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ଖବର ଶୁଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଓ ମର୍ମାହତ । ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି । ଏହି କଠିନ ସମୟରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ପରିବାର ବର୍ଗଙ୍କୁ ଅପାର ଧୈର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଓ ସାହସ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରନ୍ତୁ ।

ଓଁ…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 2, 2025

“I am saddened and heartbroken to hear about the passing of the minor girl undergoing treatment after the horrific incident in Balanga. I pray for the peace of her departed soul and extend my deepest sympathies to her family. May Lord Jagannath grant them immense courage and strength in this difficult time. Om Shanti,” he wrote on X.

The girl, who had sustained over 75% burn injuries, was airlifted to AIIMS Delhi for advanced treatment after initial care at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Despite the tireless efforts of a specialized medical team, she was declared dead today.

The incident, which occurred on July 19, involved unidentified miscreants allegedly setting the girl ablaze near a river embankment. The attack sparked widespread outrage across Odisha and led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.

Pradhan had earlier visited the victim’s family at AIIMS Delhi, where he discussed her condition with doctors and offered support.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has assured full support to the family and committed to a thorough investigation.

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