Bhubaneswar: In light of the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) planned gherao protest near Lok Seva Bhawan tomorrow, the Odisha government directed all departments to ensure that officers and employees report to their respective offices before 9:30 AM.

The protest has been called by the BJD to demand justice for Soumyashree Bisi, an Integrated B.Ed. student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, who died after attempting self-immolation on July 12 over alleged harassment by a faculty member.

Anticipating potential law and order concerns, the Home Department issued a letter to all secretaries, instructing that employees working in key government buildings, including Lok Seva Bhawan, Kharavela Bhawan, Rajiv Bhawan, Krushi Bhawan, and the Head of Department Building, must enter their workplaces before 9:30 AM.

The letter further stated the front gates of Lok Seva Bhawan will be closed at 9:30 AM, and entry will be regulated through the rear gate. The connecting passage between the Red Building and the main Lok Seva Bhawan building will remain open.

Security measures will also be heightened. Identity cards and official passes of employees and visitors will be strictly verified, and no car passes will be permitted without valid authorisation.

“Only persons with prior appointments and pressing official matters will be issued entry passes, based on the recommendation of the concerned department and approval by the Special Secretary of the Home Department,” the communication added.

Soumyashree Bisi, 20, staged a sit-in protest outside her college prior to the incident, alleging harassment by Samira Kumar Sahu, Head of the Department of Education. Despite lodging a formal complaint, no action was reportedly taken by the college administration. She later attempted self-immolation outside the principal’s chamber and was first taken to Balasore Medical College, then shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she succumbed to over 90% burn injuries late last night.

The incident sparked public outrage and political protests, prompting administrative and legal action, including the arrest and suspension of both the accused HoD and the college principal.