Assault on BMC Official: OASA Demands Immediate Arrest of Prime Accused Jagannath Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Odisha the Administrative Service Association (OASA) on Wednesday wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi demanding immediate arrest of prime accused Jagannath Pradhan in connection with brutal attack on Ratnakar Sahoo, Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

The attack, which occurred in broad daylight, has sparked outrage among OAS officers, who view it as an assault on the dignity of public service.

“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”, the OASA said in the letter to the Chief Minister.

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, it added.

The OASA has put forth three urgent demands – immediate arrest of the prime accused and kingpin Jagannath Pradhan, who is reported to be behind the attack, provision of adequate security for all field-level executive officers including Tahsildars, Sub-Collectors, BDOs, and EOs immediately to ensure their safety while discharging official duties. and public condemnation of the incident by the Government, acknowledging the gravity of the attack and affirming its commitment to protect government officers.

The OASA announced that all OAS officers across the state will remain on leave until these demands are met.