Odisha civil servants announce to go on mass leave protest
The Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA), the largest body of State-level civil servants, has announced a mass leave protest, demanding the immediate arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, who allegedly orchestrated a violent assault on a senior bureaucrat.
The protest comes in the wake of the brutal attack on Ratnakar Sahoo, Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, who was dragged from his office and beaten by BJP workers. The OASA condemned the incident and issued an ultimatum, declaring their demand for Mr. Pradhan’s arrest as “urgent and non-negotiable.”
“This heinous act is a stark reminder of the risks and vulnerabilities faced by our members in the line of duty. It is not just an assault on an individual, but a direct attack on the dignity and sanctity of public service in the State,” said OASA president Jyoti Ranjan Mishra.
‘Dangerous precedent’The association warned that unless swift and strong action is taken, such incidents could set a “dangerous precedent” and further endanger the lives and dignity of officers working under difficult circumstances with limited protection. They also demanded increased security for all field-level executive officers.
“All officers will remain on leave until the demands are met,” the OASA said. A delegation of officers met Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja to express their resentment and is expected to meet Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to seek assurances on action against the accused.
The assault has drawn condemnation. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, without naming Mr. Pradhan, urged CM Majhi to take action against the BJP leader. Mr. Pradhan, who narrowly lost the 2024 Assembly election, met senior BJP leaders at the party office for over two hours on Wednesday. “Party president Manmohan Samal summoned me. I have discussed the matter with him. Now I am going home,” he said after the meeting.
While earlier speculation suggested that Mr. Pradhan might surrender to the police, his meeting has fuelled perceptions that the BJP is backing him.
Odisha civil servants demand arrest of BJP leader after violent attack, threatening mass leave protest. | Source: The Hindu
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