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Odisha issues SOP for safety of census enumerators following incidents of attack
Odisha government issued standard operating procedures to protect census enumerators after attacks during the ongoing House-listing and Housing Census. Incidents were reported in Kamakhyanagar and Tangi, prompting police intervention and the directive to skip hostile houses with protection later for left-out households.
Why It Matters
The SOP is meant to safeguard field workers and ensure the Census 2027 household data collection progresses amid safety concerns during enumerator visits.
Timeline
4 Events
Odisha government issues SOP for safety of enumerators
April 24, 2026
Following the incidents, the Odisha government issued standard operating procedures for the safety of census enumerators. The SOP asks enumerators to skip specific houses if hostility is faced, with protection arranged to cover left-out houses later.
Tangi area incident: similar hostility toward enumerators
April 24, 2026
A similar incident of hostility toward census enumerators was reported from the Tangi area of Khordha district.
Kamakhyanagar incident: enumerators assaulted and vehicles damaged
April 24, 2026
In Kamakhyanagar area of Dhenkanal district, census enumerators were physically assaulted and their vehicles damaged. Police intervened and arrested the troublemakers.
Start of Census 2027 House-listing and Housing Census phase in Odisha
April 16, 2026
The first phase of Census 2027—the House-listing and Housing Census—begins in Odisha, running from April 16 to May 15, 2026. Enumerators are visiting households to collect data on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets, with reports that some enumerators faced hostility and were chased away in certain areas.