Bhubaneswar: Safety of govt employees in Odisha has come under sharp focus after official data revealed a surge in workplace assaults. As per chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s written reply in the assembly on Monday, 632 on-duty govt employees were attacked in 2024-25, and the number surged by 21% to 767 in 2025-26.The figures, presented in response to a question by BJD MLA Prasanna Acharya, highlighted a troubling trend in several police districts, including Bhubaneswar, Puri, Angul, Jajpur, Rourkela, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal, Rayagada, Kendrapada and Mayurbhanj.Police sources said the victims were mostly doctors, police, revenue, forest and excise personnel, who faced public anger and attacks by anti-social elements while discharging their duties or during enforcement drives.They attributed the rise to resentment over investigation and enforcement actions, delays in service delivery, and growing mistrust between citizens and officials. “We often see attacks on tehsil, forest, and excise officials during enforcement drives against illegal sand and stone miners, wood smugglers, poachers and illicit liquor vendors. The rise in such attacks is worrisome,” retired police officer SN Barik said.Asked about the trigger behind such attacks, sociologist Bhabagrahi Panigrahi said, “When violence against state employees rises, it signals not just a breakdown of workplace safety, but an erosion of trust in institutions. It reflects a strained state-society relationship.”A govt employee questioned the adequacy of preventive measures. “The numbers are alarming. Arrests are being made, but what about prevention? We deserve assurance that we can perform our duties without fear,” the employee said, recalling the brazen attack on a BMC official here in June last year.Just a few days ago, some excise officials were attacked by a bar employee in Kharavel Nagar during a late-night raid. “Many cases go unreported. Unlike big associations of officers, which back their colleagues when misconduct occurs, many lower-rung employees are forced to remain silent because they receive no support,” a govt clerk said.Senior psychiatrist Suvendu Mishra said economic pressure, competition and uncertainty heighten collective anxiety, making reactions more impulsive and aggressive. “Coming under social-media influence, it (attacks) often leads to a urge of immediate solution to real life issues,” Mishra said.Govt officials defended their response, pointing to arrests in every reported case. “We are committed to ensuring justice and deterrence,” said a senior govt official.Doctors, who have been among the most frequent targets, expressed frustration. “We are here to serve patients, not to be assaulted over delays or misunderstandings. Despite the presence of police outposts and private security guards in hospitals, we continue to face unruly people,” said a physician at Capital Hospital.
