Odisha CM's Private Secretary's residence vandalised, Patnaik condemns BJP

A group of BJP workers on Saturday barged into Odisha Chief Minister's Private Secretary V.K. Pandian's official residence here and indulged in vandalism, which was dubbed "absolutely shocking" by Naveen Patnaik.

"It's an absolutely shocking incident. Particularly as some members of a national party have agreed that they took part in the incident. It's truly shocking," the Chief Minister said on the sidelines of his Puri visit for ongoing silver jubilee function of the solemn 'Pattabhishek' ceremony performed by Puri Shankaracharya at the Govardhan Peeth.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers accused Pandian of working for the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the state.

The state bodies of the IAS, IPS and Odisha Administrative Service also condemned the attack, even as police arrested four members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Indian Administrative Service Association Secretary Vishal Dev said all IAS officers belong to the central government and such attacks will not be tolerated.

"IAS officers should not be targeted personally. They belong to the central government. It is sad and unfortunate to see that an IAS officer is being targeted here. Time has come to initiate strong action," said Dev.

On behalf of the Indian Police Service Association, Additional Director General Sudhansu Sarangi said such vandalism and intimidation of a government officer is "totally unjustified and unacceptable".

On the other hand, a BJP delegation on Saturday met Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to seek the dismissal of four bureaucrats, including Pandian.

The BJP accused Pandian, his wife and IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan, IPS officer D.S. Kutey who is Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister and OAS officer Gopabandhu Dash who is Joint Secretary to Patnaik of working for the BJD.

--IANS

cd/tsb/vm