What Actions Will OASA Take Against BJP Leader Jagannath Pradhan?
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Synopsis
The Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA) stands firm in demanding justice for Ratnakar Sahoo and has vowed to stay on mass leave until their calls for action are met, including the arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan. The ongoing tensions reflect broader issues of safety and accountability in public service.
Key Takeaways
- OASA continues mass leave until demands met.
- Call for the arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan.
- Need for enhanced security for executive officers.
- Public condemnation of the attack is essential.
- Government urged to acknowledge risks faced by officers.
Bhubaneswar, July 2 (NationPress) The Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA) has declared that members of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) will persist in their mass leave until their demands are addressed by the government. Central to these demands is the arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, who is the main suspect in the assault on Ratnakar Sahoo, a senior OAS officer and Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the OAS association outlined three key requests: the immediate arrest of Jagannath Pradhan, the provision of sufficient security for all field-level executive officers such as Tahsildars, Sub-Collectors, BDOs, and EOs to ensure their safety while performing official duties, and a public condemnation of the incident by the government, which acknowledges the seriousness of the attack and emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding government officials.
The association reiterated its condemnation of the “barbaric” assault on Ratnakar Sahoo during his duty. “This despicable act serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers and vulnerabilities faced by our members in their professional roles. This incident, occurring in broad daylight, represents not just an attack on a specific officer but a direct assault on the dignity and integrity of public service in our state,” the association stated in its memorandum.
In response, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari urged OAS and ORS officers to end their protest and return to work, considering the flood situation in various districts and the ongoing Rath Yatra. He assured that those involved in the case would be held accountable under the law.
On Tuesday, Manmohan Samal, president of the BJP's state unit, suspended five party workers, including a corporator, from primary membership for their involvement in the assault on BMC Additional Commissioner Sahoo.
Following the FIR filed by the victim, police had previously arrested all five suspended party members: Corporator Aparup Narayan Raut, Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Debashis Pradhan, Sachikant Swain, and Sanjeev Mishra.
Notably, around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, during a public grievance meeting attended by other officers, staff, and citizens at the BMC office, six to seven unidentified individuals unlawfully entered the premises and assaulted Sahoo, inquiring if he had spoken with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan.
Point of View
The situation highlights the critical need for government accountability in ensuring the safety of its officers. The demands put forth by the OASA are not only justified but also necessary to uphold the integrity of public service. The response from the government will likely set a precedent for how such incidents are handled in the future.
NationPress
03/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main demands of the OASA?
The OASA demands include the immediate arrest of Jagannath Pradhan, enhanced security for field-level executive officers, and a public condemnation of the violent incident.
Who is Ratnakar Sahoo?
Ratnakar Sahoo is a senior officer of the Odisha Administrative Service and the Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
What was the incident involving Ratnakar Sahoo?
Ratnakar Sahoo was assaulted by unknown individuals during a public grievance meeting, allegedly due to his communication with BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan.
How has the government responded to the protests by OASA?
The government has urged OASA and ORS officers to return to duty, emphasizing the need for their services amidst ongoing challenges like floods.
What actions have been taken against those who assaulted Sahoo?
All five individuals involved in the assault, including a corporator, have been suspended from the BJP and arrested by the police.
