Naveen Patnaik Demands CM Majhi’s Response After Assault on Senior BMC Official

Bhubaneswar, June 30 (OT Webdesk)– In a disturbing incident that has reignited debates on public safety and governance in Odisha, Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ratnakar Sahoo was physically assaulted during a public grievance hearing on Monday.

The assault, which took place inside the BMC office premises in broad daylight, was allegedly perpetrated by a group of local youths and contractors said to be affiliated with a powerful BJP leader. Eyewitnesses reported that Sahoo was dragged from his chamber and subjected to slaps, punches, and kicks in full public view. The shocking act was caught on video and rapidly circulated across social media platforms, sparking widespread condemnation.

Former Odisha Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik took to X (formerly Twitter) to strongly denounce the attack. “Utterly shocking,” he wrote, describing the incident as symptomatic of a breakdown in law and order under the BJP-led government. He demanded not only immediate arrest of the assailants but also strict action against those who allegedly orchestrated the violence.

The incident has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups alike. BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty pointed to a pattern of increasing political violence in the state capital, referencing similar events dating back to pre-municipal polls in 2022. The Congress also joined the chorus, calling for the Chief Minister to respond with transparency and firmness.

Meanwhile, the silence from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has only added to public frustration. Police have begun analysing CCTV footage to identify the attackers, and security has been tightened at key government offices in Bhubaneswar.

The Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association has also stepped in, condemning the attack and demanding justice. They have announced a symbolic protest beginning July 1 if concrete action is not taken.

This incident has once again brought the safety of public officials and the integrity of democratic institutions into the spotlight. As the state grapples with this troubling episode, citizens and stakeholders are calling for systemic reforms and a renewed commitment to law enforcement.