Bhubaneswar: Toughening its stand on the brutal attack on BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo, the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association has demanded the immediate arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, calling him the prime accused in the case.
In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the association strongly condemned the brazen attack on the senior OAS officer during a public grievance hearing at the headquarters of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, it demanded immediate arrest of Pradhan, calling him the prime accused and kingpin behind the attack.
Notably, Pradhan had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Assembly election from the Bhubaneswar (central) constituency.
Describing the incident as a stark reminder of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by officers in the line of duty, the association also demanded provision of adequate security for all field-level executive officers, including Tehsildars, Sub-Collectors, BDOs, and EOs, to ensure their safety while discharging official duties.
“This heinous act is a stark reminder of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by our members in the line of duty. The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, is not only an assault on an individual officer but a direct attack on the dignity and sanctity of public service in the State. Such a brazen act has destroyed the morale of officers working across the state, who discharge their duties under challenging circumstances and with limited protection. We believe that unless strong and swift action is taken, such incidents may set a dangerous precedence and further endanger the lives and integrity of officers in service”, the memorandum read.
A delegation of the association met Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and submitted the memorandum addressed to the CM.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) Officers’ Association, which had joined the OAS Association in protest, has announced its members assigned to emergency duties, particularly related to Rath Yatra and flood management, will resume work. ORS Association President Kanishka Bodhisatwa confirmed the decision.
Based on Sahoo’s complaint, the Commissionerate Police has arrested five persons in connection with the assault. The accused have been identified as Sanjeev Mishra, Sachikanta Swain, Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debasish Pradhan.
Earlier, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had also demanded the arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan in connection with the attack on the OAS officer.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mayor Sulochana Das, former minister Ashok Panda, party MLAs from Bhubaneswar (central) Anant Narayan Jena and Bhubaneswar (north) Susant Kumar Rout alleged that Pradhan had instigated the violence and action should also be taken against him.
Stating that Pradhan himself has admitted that two of the five arrested persons are his close associates, the BJD leaders demanded that the Chief Minister take a very serious view of the incident.
State Congress president Bhakta Charan Das also condemned the assault on Sahoo and said it was the result of the ruling BJP’s attempt to saffronise the bureaucracy.
