• Source:JND
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Odisha Girl Self-Immolation: AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday morning witnessed a massive protest led by Congress and BJD leaders, following the death of the girl who had attempted self-immolation. A 20-year-old student from Balasore set herself on fire over inaction by the Fakir Mohan Autonomous College administration in a complaint filed by her over alleged sexual harassment by a professor.

As chaos prevailed outside the AIIMS, the police detained several protesting leaders. As the news of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student spread, number of leaders gathered outside the hospital, demanding the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

BJD leader Ipsita Sahoo said, "Why are BJP leaders allowed inside the hospital, but we are not allowed even outside it...Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj must resign."

ALSO READ: Odisha: College Girl Who Set Herself On Fire Over Inaction In Sexual Harassment By Professor Dies, CM Assures Action

Why Was The Postmortem Done At Night, Asks BJD

Another BJD leader Sulata Deo said this government is against Dalits and tribals. "Why was the postmortem done at night? The body was brought at night so that no one would come to know," she questioned.

Police Are Protecting Accused: Elina Dash

BJD's Elina Dash, who also participated in the protest, said, "They officially declared at night that she is no more, but we knew she had died when she was 95% burnt. They staged the entire drama because the President was going to come. They had a plan to take the dead body discreetly during the night. We are fighting for justice. We will not leave until she and her family get justice. The police are the partner in crime and are protecting them in everything. We will not let them take the body away till the Higher Education Minister and the Chief Minister resign. There will be protests in every district and village."

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On the other hand, Congress leader Yashir Nawaz said, "When we met the AIIMS doctors in the evening, they clearly told us that she was 95% burnt, she had low chances of survival. It is so unfortunate that a student who begged for justice to the MP, SP, principal, Higher Education Minister and the CM, but even after being an ABVP leader, she was not safe. She lost her lie for her dignity and self-respect. We are protesting because they are conducting the post-mortem at 2 am. The government, with the help of the police, want to take the body away after the postmortem. There is no action against the Higher Education Minister; he has not been sacked. No action has been taken against those responsible... They are trying to cover the incident with the help of ABVP... This is the fault of the BJP government... Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj must be removed... There must be strict action against those responsible..."

Odisha CM Assures Strictest Punishment

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief and assured the family of the deceased that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law.

"I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of the female student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College. Despite the government's fulfillment of all responsibilities and the tireless efforts of the expert medical team, the victim's life could not be saved. I pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul and beseech Lord Jagannath to grant strength to her family to bear this irreparable loss. I assure the family of the deceased student that all those guilty in this case will face the strictest punishment as per the law. For this, I have personally issued instructions to the authorities. The government stands firmly with the family," the CM wrote on X.