In the wake of the shocking attack on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu on June 30, the civic body has come under heavy fire for glaring lapses in security. The incident has triggered political turbulence, administrative protests, and a complete rethinking of security protocols within the BMC headquarters.

On Thursday, a high-level emergency meeting chaired by Mayor Sulochana Das witnessed a storm of criticism aimed at Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) and private security contractor Jagannath Placement and Security Services for their failure to ensure basic protection.

CCTV Dysfunction and Security Absence Slammed

Mayor Das sharply questioned why the BMC’s CCTV surveillance system had been out of order for over three months and why no guards were present when Sahu was attacked. “How can we expect guards to protect our staff when they’re too afraid to act?” Das remarked, voicing anger over the non-functional cameras that failed to record critical evidence for police investigators.

The meeting was attended by standing committee chairpersons, BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior BSCL officials, and a representative from the security firm. The absence of any footage from the incident further embarrassed officials, with Mayor Das emphasizing that the BMC can no longer rely on outsourced, ineffective services.

BMC Takes Direct Control of Security

Previously, BSCL was in charge of managing the building’s security infrastructure. That arrangement has now changed. Mayor Das announced that BMC would directly manage the maintenance and surveillance of all floors it occupies — ground, lower ground, third, and fourth.

“We don’t want guards who just sit around. We need trained, armed personnel who can deter troublemakers,” Das told the media. She confirmed that the guards who were present during the attack had been dismissed, and BMC has begun recruiting ex-servicemen with proper training to replace them.

Security Firm, BSCL Face Accountability

A senior BSCL official admitted that the agency failed to report the malfunctioning CCTV system to BMC leadership. The lapse, he said, was unacceptable and contributed to the chaos that followed the assault. The official added that BSCL has now asked BMC to independently handle surveillance and security, similar to the arrangement made with other tenants like Deloitte.

Political Fallout and Statewide Unrest

The attack, allegedly carried out by supporters of BJP leader Jagannath Pradhan, has triggered statewide agitation among Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers, leading to work boycotts and widespread demands for justice. Mayor Das has called the act an “attempted murder” and vowed that no leniency would be shown to the attackers.

Future Measures and Rebuilding Trust

With new security measures already underway, the BMC is attempting to restore public confidence and reassure its employees. However, serious concerns remain over who will take responsibility for the past negligence that allowed such a breach.

As Bhubaneswar continues to reel from the incident, the message from the civic leadership is clear: safeguarding the lives of staff and citizens must now be the top priority. The BMC’s decision to bring its security apparatus in-house signals a turning point in how government buildings are protected in Odisha’s capital.

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