Bhubaneswar: In a swift and decisive action, the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended five of its primary members, including a corporator, for their alleged involvement in the violent incident at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) office on June 30. State President Shri Manmohan Samal issued the suspension orders, emphasizing the party’s zero-tolerance policy towards disruptive conduct.
The suspended individuals are Corporator Aparup Narayan Raut, Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, Debashis Pradhan, Sachikanth Swain, and Sanjeeb Mishra.
The action comes after an alleged assault on BMC Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo during a public grievance redressal meeting. Visuals purportedly showing the attack circulated widely, drawing widespread condemnation from political parties and public officials alike.
According to initial reports, a group of individuals allegedly linked to the BJP Yuva Morcha, including some of those now suspended, entered the BMC office and physically assaulted Additional Commissioner Shri Sahoo, attempting to abduct him and causing injuries. His mobile phone was also reportedly seized and misused to circulate defamatory content.
The incident triggered strong reactions, with BMC employees launching a “black badge” protest strike demanding immediate identification and arrest of all perpetrators and instigators, strict legal action, a formal public condemnation from BMC leadership, and enhanced security arrangements.
The Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Association had also planned a mass leave protest, which was later postponed after a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. Chief Minister Shri Majhi promised stern action against the culprits.