Bhubaneswar, April 23: In response to reports of attacks on officials involved in the ongoing census operations, the Odisha government has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to safeguard the functionaries on duty.

On Wednesday, four officials, including two women, were attacked and their vehicle was damaged while they were conducting census work at a residence in Dhenkanal district. The assailants, a father and his two sons, were subsequently arrested for the assault. Another similar incident was reported in the Tangi area of Khurda district.

Addressing these concerns, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management, Arabinda Padhee, issued a directive to district collectors, SPs, and municipal commissioners. In the letter, Padhee stated, "Recent incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of census officials, disrupting the ongoing operations." The SOP aims to ensure the safety of census functionaries and prevent any further hindrances to the crucial national exercise.