Bhubaneswar: State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Manmohan Samal suspended five party members for their alleged involvement in the attack on Ratnakar Sahoo, Additional Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The suspended members include Corporator Aparupa Narayan Rout, Rasmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Debasish Pradhan, Sachikanta Swain and Sanjib Mishra.
Notably, six BJP workers barged into Sahoo’s office and dragged him out, kicking and punching him repeatedly. The incident occurred during a public grievance redressal meeting, with over 100 people present. CCTV footage captured the attackers, and three individuals have been arrested so far.
Protesting the brutal assault, BMC employees staged a protest, demanding swift justice and enhanced security measures for civic staff.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, with former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding immediate and exemplary action against the guilty. Also, the Odisha Administration Service Association has protested the attack, deciding to go on mass leave.
