Bhubaneswar: IAS officers' association on Sunday demanded stern action against those involved in Saturday's attack on the official residence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik's private secretary V. Karthikeyan Pandian.

The meeting, which chaired by agriculture production commissioner Gagan Kumar Dhal, also passed a resolution demanding action against "lumpen elements" targeting government officials, including tehsildars.

On Saturday, nearly 40 BJP workers had gate crashed into Pandian's residence, smashing glass panes and flowerpots. Vehicles parked in the house were also damaged. The vandals even smeared cow dung on the main gate and boundary wall.

Association general secretary Vishal Dev said: "Hooliganism and vandalism are not acceptable. We are working for the government in various capacities. Targeting an officer is highly condemnable and unfortunate. Action should be initiated against the guilty."

To avoid a repeat of the incidence, the state government on Sunday tightened security around Pandian's residence. Apart from deploying a posse of policemen, the government has also installed closed circuit television at the official's residence.

The attack has also sparked off a political war of words between the BJD and the Opposition. The BJP has stepped up its attack on the chief minister for extending protection to Pandian.

Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "I am reminded of three incidents that took place in 2017- the attack on two IAS officers and former minister Damodar Rout. But no one had condemned it at that time. But to think that no one will question people drawing salary from tax payers' money is like day dreaming."

BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said: "We are not advocating the case of V.K. Pandian. Union minister is giving wrong examples. His party members were involved in this incident. No political party was involved in the three examples he has cited."

Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik said: "The attack is unfortunate. This is terror politics and cowardly act."

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday asked police to withdraw all charges against Rajeswari Kamila, the woman who had hurled eggs at him at Talasari in Balasore on January 31. She was protesting her husband and BJP leader Dilip Kamila's police detention ahead of Naveen's Balasore trip.

Reacting to the withdrawal of charges, Kamila said: "Women are not safe in the state. They have withdrawn the charges out of fear."