Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 (UNI) In a shocking incident, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Das died at a private hospital here after he was shot at on Sunday by an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, who was in charge of his security.
The Minister, also a senior BJD leader, had gone to Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district to attend a function. As his supporters welcomed him with flowers and garlands soon after he alighted from the car at Gandhi Chhak, the ASI fired at him from a close range.
The Minister fell down and was found in a pool of blood. He was rushed to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital and later airlifted to Bhubaneswar as his condition deteriorated.
According to an official, the authorities made a green corridor from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to the private Apollo Hospital for the smooth movement of the ambulance carrying the injured minister
With gunshot wounds on the left of his chest, he was admitted to the ICU of the hospital, where a team of doctors led by Debashis Nayak immediately attended to and operated on him, but Das could not be revived, according to a medical bulletin.
"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," said the bulletin.
"The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. but despite best efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries," said the hospital.
The state government has formed a seven-member special Investigating team comprising a Cyber expert, a Ballistic expert and officers of the Crime Branch has been formed to inquire into the attack.
The team is led by Ramesh Ch Dora, Deputy SP. He along with a Ballistics expert reached Jharsuguda by a special helicopter to immediately start the investigation, before the arrival of the other team members.
Arun Bothara, ADGP, CID-CB, has also accompanied them to personally supervise and monitor the investigation.
Brajarajnagar SDPO G Bhoi said the accused ASI, who fired around four to five rounds at the Minister, was overpowered by the police and taken into custody for interrogation.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who went to the hospital, condemned the attack while expressing "deep shock" at the minister's death.
"I am shocked and distressed over the very unfortunate demise of Minister Naba Das," the chief minister said in a condolence message, describing the deceased as an asset for both the government and the party.
"He had successfully carried many initiatives in the health department to the benefit of the people," he added. UNI BD DP SSP