Bhubaneswar: Officials from the IAS, IPS, OAS, the Odisha information services and even government drivers' association on Monday met chief minister Naveen Patnaik and registered their protest following the attack on the residence of his private secretary V. Kartikeyan Pandian by suspected BJP workers.

The associations openly came out in support of Pandian after various political parties, including the Congress, condemned the attack and termed it as "an attempt to introduce the politics of terror in Odisha".

Naveen met members of each of these organisations and assured that action would be taken against the guilty. He said: "Associations from all over the state have given me petitions regarding the unfortunate incident. Appropriate action will be taken."

The officials were upset at the way the BJP workers barged into the residence of Pandian on Saturday and broke flowerpots and damaged vehicles parked on the compound.

IAS Officers' Association general secretary Vishal Dev said: "Strict and exemplary action should be taken against the accused. Government officials should be given a free hand to perform their duties."