THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 23, 2026

In the wake of a recent attack on Census personnel in Dhenkanal district, the Odisha government on Thursday rolled out a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure the safety of enumerators and supervisors engaged in Census 2027 operations.

Issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the SOP has been circulated to all district collectors, municipal commissioners-cum-principal census officers, and superintendents of police, outlining coordinated measures to safeguard field staff during enumeration.

As per the guidelines, details of enumerators and supervisors, including their names and contact information, must be shared with local police stations. District administrations have also been directed to keep police informed about enumeration schedules to enable timely support.

In areas identified as sensitive, a police personnel will accompany Census teams. Enumerators have been advised to coordinate with local community leaders and seek their cooperation before beginning work in any locality.

The SOP emphasizes caution in the face of hostility. In case of any perceived threat, enumerators are instructed to disengage immediately, avoid confrontation, and revisit the area later with adequate security arrangements.

Officials have been mandated to wear their identity cards at all times, adhere to designated working hours, and avoid field visits during peak heat hours between 11 AM and 3 PM.

The first phase of Census 2027 — the house listing and housing census — is currently underway in the state from April 16 and will continue till May 15, 2026. During this phase, enumerators are collecting data on housing conditions, amenities, and household assets.

The move comes a day after four Census staffers, including two women, were injured in an alleged attack while conducting enumeration work in the Kamakhyanagar area of Dhenkanal district.

The SOP also cautions that any obstruction to Census officials in the discharge of their duties will invite strict legal action under the Census Act, 1984, including penalties such as fines and imprisonment of up to three years.