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<h1 class="text-2xl font-bold mt-1 text-text-100">Senior BMC Official Assaulted During Public Hearing in Bhubaneswar</h1>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Shocking footage circulating on social media has revealed a brazen attack on a senior municipal official in Bhubaneswar, prompting widespread condemnation and sparking mass protests across the city's administrative services.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Ratnakar Sahoo, additional commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), was violently assaulted on Monday during what should have been a routine public grievance hearing. The incident, which occurred within the official premises of the municipal corporation, has sent shockwaves through Odisha's administrative circles.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">The Attack Unfolds</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The assault began when approximately five to six individuals forcibly entered Sahoo's chamber during the public hearing session. Initially believing the group had come to lodge legitimate complaints, the senior official was caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">"Around five or six unknown youths forcefully entered into my chamber. I thought that they had come to lodge their grievances," Sahoo later recounted to reporters. "A corporator was also with them, who asked me whether I had misbehaved with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. With this small interaction, the group of miscreants dragged me from the office and manhandled me."</p>
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<source src="https://ibp-benefits.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/prod/news/uploads/videos/1751334227876_ssstwitter.com_1751333405869.mp4.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video></p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Disturbing video footage that has since gone viral shows the attackers grabbing Sahoo by the collar, kicking him, and striking him on the head. The official revealed that the group also attempted to kidnap him by trying to force him into a vehicle, adding a particularly sinister dimension to the already shocking incident.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Motive Behind the Violence</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The assault appears to have been motivated by allegations that Sahoo had previously misbehaved with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, known locally as "Jag bhai". However, the exact nature of this alleged misconduct remains unclear, and the violent response has been widely condemned regardless of any underlying grievances.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Swift Police Action</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Odisha police moved quickly to address the serious breach of law and order. Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena confirmed that an FIR has been registered in connection with the case.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Three individuals have been arrested in relation to the assault: Jeevan Rout, Rashmi Mahapatra, and Debashis Pradhan. The swift arrests demonstrate the seriousness with which authorities are treating this unprecedented attack on a senior civil servant.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Administrative Services Strike Back</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The assault has triggered an extraordinary response from Odisha's administrative community. The Odisha Administration Service Association (OAS) has declared mass leave from Tuesday onwards as a mark of protest against what they describe as an "appalling and deplorable attack".</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">In an official communication, the association stated: "This is to formally inform you that the Odisha Administrative Service Association has unanimously resolved to proceed on a mass leave with effect from 1st July, 2025 in protest against the appalling and deplorable attack on the Additional Commissioner BMC, which occurred in broad daylight within official premises."</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The decision to stage a mass walkout underscores the gravity with which the administrative services view this attack on one of their senior colleagues. Such collective action is rare and highlights the deep concern within the civil service community about the safety and dignity of public officials.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Political Ramifications</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The incident has also sparked protests from opposition corporators, particularly those from the Biju Janata Dal party, who have condemned the violent attack on the municipal official. The assault has raised serious questions about the security of civil servants and the sanctity of government offices.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The brazen nature of the attack, occurring in broad daylight within official premises, has particularly alarmed observers. It represents a dangerous escalation in what appears to be politically motivated violence against public servants carrying out their duties.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Broader Implications</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">This shocking incident comes at a time when civil servants across India face increasing challenges in performing their duties without fear or favour. The attack on Sahoo has highlighted the vulnerability of public officials and the need for robust security measures within government premises.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The mass leave declared by the OAS is likely to impact various administrative functions across Odisha, as civil servants take a stand against what they perceive as an attack on the entire administrative machinery.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">As investigations continue and the three arrested individuals face legal proceedings, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing India's civil service and the importance of maintaining the rule of law in protecting public officials from violence and intimidation.</p>
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Senior municipal commissioner assaulted during public hearing as viral footage sparks protests

BMC Official Violently Attacked in Bhubaneswar Office

Senior municipal commissioner assaulted during public hearing as viral footage sparks protests

July 1, 2025 | 12:44 IST