On Monday, chaos erupted at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office when a group of young men launched a violent attack on Ratnakar Sahoo, the Additional Commissioner. Sahoo was in the middle of a public grievance redressal meeting when he was suddenly assaulted by the group, who slapped, punched, and hurled abuse at him inside the office. A viral video of the shocking incident captures the moment Sahoo is grabbed by his collar and forcefully dragged outside the building by the attackers.
Reports suggest that six young men barged into Sahoo’s office without warning, unleashing a brutal, unprovoked assault that left onlookers in disbelief. The reason for the attack remains unclear, and the identities of the assailants are still unknown.
Speaking to the media after the attack, Sahoo expressed his shock, confirming that he had no prior connection with the attackers. “The assailants are strangers to me,” he said. “I will report the incident to higher authorities, and an FIR will be filed soon.”
The assault sparked outrage among BMC staff, who immediately staged a sit-in protest inside the office, halting work for the rest of the day. They demanded swift action against the attackers and called for increased security for city employees.
Officials from the BMC and Commissionerate Police arrived on the scene shortly after the attack, promising a thorough investigation into the incident.
Describing the events leading up to the assault, Deputy Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo explained: “It was a regular grievance session on a Monday. I was reviewing cases since the commissioner wasn’t around. A corporator named Jivan Babu and some five or six other individuals approached me. Jivan asked if I had misbehaved with Jaga Bhai, and I denied it. That’s when they began attacking me and tried to force me into a car. I’m still unsure why this happened, and I don’t know the people who attacked me.”
The brutal assault quickly caught the attention of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who expressed his shock and disappointment. Patnaik condemned the incident and called for immediate action from current Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, criticizing the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
“I am shocked to see this video,” Patnaik posted on X. “Today, Shri Ratnakar Sahoo, OAS Additional Commissioner, BMC, a senior officer of the rank of Additional Secretary, was dragged out of his office and violently assaulted in front of a BJP Corporator, allegedly connected to a defeated BJP MLA candidate.”
Patnaik found the incident especially disturbing because it occurred in broad daylight while Sahoo was addressing public grievances. He called on the current Chief Minister to take decisive action not just against the attackers but also against the political figures involved in orchestrating the attack.
Patnaik concluded by stressing the importance of setting an example, saying, “If even a senior officer isn’t safe in their own office, what can ordinary citizens expect from this government? The Chief Minister must act swiftly and ensure that those responsible are given the strictest punishment. The people of Odisha will not forget this.”
