Dramatic Rescue Prevents Self-Immolation Attempt at Bhubaneswar Secretariat

A tense situation unfolded at the Bhubaneswar state secretariat when a woman attempted self-immolation. Witnesses reported her pouring petrol on herself before swift intervention by security personnel prevented the act.

The woman, from Banpur in the Khurda district, alleged mental harassment and wrongful detention by local police, which she claimed led to her drastic action. She was promptly taken to Capital Hospital for medical evaluation.

Contrarily, SDPO Sanjay Kumar Patnaik clarified that the woman had been previously arrested in connection with a 2022 sexual harassment case involving a minor, and had only recently been released on bail following judicial custody.

(With inputs from agencies.)