Woman attempts self-immolation outside secretariat

Bhubaneswar: A woman allegedly attempted self-immolation outside Lok Seva Bhawan (secretariat) here on Friday, alleging she was falsely implicated in a criminal case.Eyewitnesses said the woman tried to pour petrol on herself before police personnel intervened and prevented her from setting herself ablaze. She was immediately escorted away from the spot by police personnel.Breaking down before reporters, the woman, in her 40s, accused Baripada police in Mayurbhanj district and Banapur police in Khurda district of framing her in a 2022 case involving the alleged abduction of a minor girl. "I was acquitted in the case. Police framed me and defamed me," she claimed.Police, however, dismissed her allegations. Officials said a case was registered against her at Baripada police station on Dec 11, 2022, on charges of kidnapping a 15-year-old tribal girl with the intent of slavery and prostitution. "Police arrested her after getting evidence," a police officer said.