Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 15 (ANI): After the death of a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore who had attempted self-immolation, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Sulata Deo on Tuesday accused the government of being 'against Dalits and tribals.'

She questioned the timing of the postmortem and alleged that it was conducted at night to suppress public attention.

Speaking to ANI, 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...'

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers staged a protest as the mortal remains of the deceased student were being taken to the postmortem centre of AIIMS.

Earlier on Monday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar confirmed the death of the 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Odisha's Balasore, who had attempted self-immolation.

The Department of Burn Centre, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said in a statement that the patient was brought to the casualty on July 12 and was referred from Balasore District Headquarters Hospital to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

'She was admitted to the Burns Centre ICU. The patient was resuscitated with IV fluids, IV antibiotics, intubated and put on mechanical ventilation. Despite adequate resuscitation and all possible supportive management, including renal replacement therapy at the Burns ICU, she could not be revived and was declared clinically dead at 11:46 PM on July 14,' the statement said.

The 20-year-old student set herself on fire after allegedly facing prolonged sexual harassment by her college's Head of Department. Despite lodging a formal complaint and seeking help from the principal, her pleas were ignored, leading to the tragic incident. The incident occurred at Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College.

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. (ANI)