BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Health Minister Naba Das, who was shot at in Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district on Sunday afternoon, succumbed to bullet injuries in a Bhubaneswar hospital, officials said. The minister, who was said to be in a critical condition, was airlifted to the Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar where he breathed his last.
Das was shot at by a police officer near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district earlier on Sunday, leaving him critically injured. A team of doctors led by Dr Debashish Nayak immediately attended to and operated on him.
On operating, it was found that a single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung and causing massive internal bleeding and injury, the officials said. According to officials, the injuries were repaired and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But despite the best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep shock and distress over the unfortunate death of minister Naba Das. “He was an asset for both the government and the party. His death is a great loss to the state of Odisha”, the Odisha CMO said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister reached the hospital and enquired about the health of the minister who was attended by the specialists. Patnaik condemned the attack on the minister. The CM also directed the Crime Branch to take up the investigation into the matter, following which a team of Odisha Crime Branch, headed by a senior police official, proceeded to Brajarajnagar where Naba Das was shot at. The team, led by Additional Director General Arun Bothra, left for the crime spot to inquire into the firing incident on minister Naba Das.
Earlier, an eyewitness, advocate Ram Mohan Rao, said that a policeman fired at the Odisha minister from point-blank range. “This incident occurred at about 12.30 in the afternoon at Gandhi Chowk when Das was on his way to attend a programme. He sustained bullet injuries to the left of his chest, leaving him seriously injured”, Rao said.
“Naba Das was the chief guest at a public grievance office opening. When he arrived, a crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw police personnel running away after the shooting from close range. The minister to be airlifted to Bhubaneswar”, he added. The exact reason behind the firing is still unclear. (ANI)