Bhubaneswar, 3 July (H.S.) As the strike by Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officers continues over the assault on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has urged the agitating officers to resume duty in view of pressing public needs.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, the Minister acknowledged the officers’ concerns, stating, “The government stands with the officers in their pain and anguish. However, with several parts of the state grappling with floods and the upcoming Rath Yatra requiring extensive coordination, I earnestly appeal to all agitating officers to temporarily suspend their protest and return to duty.”

Pujari informed that five individuals have been arrested in connection with the assault on the senior BMC official. “Some of the accused have even been suspended from their political party. The law will take its course, and no one involved in the incident will be spared. However, identifying the real masterminds may take time,” he added.

The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering justice, assuring that the matter is being taken seriously at all levels. At the same time, he called upon the officers to consider the critical situation on the ground, especially in flood-hit areas where relief operations have been hampered by the administrative disruption caused by the strike.

The ongoing protest has significantly affected governance and field-level administration in several districts, raising concerns about the timely execution of emergency response and public welfare measures.

Pujari appealed for cooperation from the officers during this critical time and emphasized that their return to duty would greatly benefit thousands affected by natural calamities and ensure the smooth conduct of the annual Rath Yatra, a major religious and cultural event in the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda