OAS officers launch statewide protests in Odisha over attack on BMC official; administrative work paralyzed in 14 districts

Bhubaneswar, July 1: Widespread protests have erupted across 14 districts in Odisha after members of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) launched a statewide agitation condemning the alleged assault on Ratnakar Sahu, Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The incident has sparked outrage among bureaucrats, disrupting government functions and causing public inconvenience across the state.

In Jagatsinghpur, all OAS officers—including Deputy Collectors, Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Collectors, and BDOs—went on mass leave. They submitted a memorandum to the District Collector, declaring their decision to abstain from duty indefinitely until concrete action is taken against the accused.

In Jharsuguda, government services came to a standstill as officers ceased work, while in Sundargarh, the Odisha Administrative Service Association (OASA), led by ADM Abhimanyu Majhi, termed the attack “barbaric” and called for an indefinite strike.

Puri officers issued a one-day ultimatum, threatening mass leave if no action is taken by July 2, but deferred immediate action due to the ongoing Rath Yatra. In Bhadrak, OASA and Odisha Revenue Service Association members staged protests outside the Collectorate, and Nabarangpur officers also went on mass leave.

The coordinated protests reflect growing frustration over official safety and demand swift, visible accountability.