What Led to the OAS Association's Cease-Work Agitation Being Called Off?

OAS Association Resumes Duties After Key Demand Met

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association has decided to end its cease-work protest following the arrest of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, who is implicated in the assault on Ratnakar Sahoo, the Additional Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Jyoti Mishra, the president of the association, announced that all officers would return to their posts starting Friday, as their primary demand has been fulfilled.

Pradhan was apprehended by Odisha police late Thursday night after he reported to the deputy commissioner of police. His arrest brings the total number of individuals detained in this case to six. Following a medical examination at Capital Hospital, he was presented in court, where his bail request was denied, resulting in a 14-day judicial custody.

The incident in question took place on June 30 during a public grievance session at the BMC office, where a group of six to seven individuals reportedly assaulted Sahoo. In his statement, Sahoo claimed that the assailants grabbed him by the collar, dragged him, and physically attacked him, while also accusing Pradhan of making offensive comments.

Previously, five others had been arrested in connection with the incident, including BJP corporators Jiban Raut, Rashmi Ranjan Mahapatra, Debasish Pradhan, Sachikanta Swain, and Sanjeeb Mishra.

The OAS Association has labeled Pradhan as the 'main accused' and the 'mastermind' behind the attack. They submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging for Pradhan's immediate arrest and enhanced security measures for field officers.

The association had issued a three-day ultimatum demanding public condemnation of the incident and accountability for those involved. Officers from over 20 districts participated in a mass leave protest, significantly disrupting administrative functions across the state.