Bhubaneswar: Strongly condemning the recent assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo, the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association has demanded the immediate arrest of Jagannath Pradhan, who has been alleged as the prime accused in the case.

According to a complaint lodged by Sahoo at the Kharvelnagar Police Station, a group of youths confronted him, asking whether he had spoken to Jagannath Pradhan. Upon confirmation of the telephonic conversation, the group allegedly assaulted the official during a grievance redressal meeting at the BMC office. 

The OAS association has also urged the government to ensure adequate security arrangements for all field-level executive officers, including Tahsildars, Sub-Collectors, Block Development Officers (BDOs), and Executive Officers, while on duty.

Terming the incident as deeply demoralising, the association said such attacks pose a serious threat to the safety and integrity of officers serving across the state. It further demanded a strong public condemnation from the Odisha Government.

OAS Association Vice President Santanu Kumar Mohanty stated officers will continue to remain on leave until their demands are addressed.

Reacting to the development, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said this is not an appropriate time for officers to go on strike, especially with the ongoing Puri Ratha Yatra and prevailing flood-like conditions in parts of the state. He urged the officers to return to work and reiterated the state government is open to discussions.

The association also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi through Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.

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 Ratha Yatra and flood management—will resume work. ORS Association President Kanishka Bodhisatwa confirmed the decision.

So far, the Commissionerate Police has arrested five individuals in connection with the assault. The accused have been identified as Sanjeev Mishra, Sachikanta Swain, Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debasish Pradhan.