Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das on Sunday succumbed to bullet injuries inflicted by a police officer.
The incident took place in Brajrajnagar town in Jharsuguda district around 1 PM when the Minister was on his way to attend a public programme.
An Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of police fired four to five rounds at the Minister when he got out of his car. The ASI was nabbed by local people, who then handed him over to the police. Reports suggested that the accused ASI was suffering from mental illness for the past seven-eight years.
“Das was admitted with gunshot wounds on the left side of his chest. On operating, it was found that a single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung, causing massive internal bleeding and injury. 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 statement issued by Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
According to reports, Das suffered injuries on the left side of his chest, while another policeman, who was standing guard, was also injured in the firing.
“Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das opened fire at the Minister, who sustained bullet injuries. The Minister was then rushed to a hospital,” Brajrajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi told reporters.
An inquiry has been launched to find out what prompted the ASI to open fire, Bhoi said.
In a video footage of the incident, Das is seen bleeding from the chest. Some people lifted the injured Minister, who seemed unconscious, and placed him on the front seat of a car.
Initially, he was taken to the Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital, the SDPO said. Arrangements were then made to airlift him to a Bhubaneswar hospital for “better treatment”, he said.
The incident triggered tension in the town as the Minister’s supporters pointed fingers to the “security lapses”.
Some supporters even claimed that a conspiracy was hatched to target him.
Bhoi said that the ASI was currently being interrogated, and more details will be available after a thorough investigation.
The Government has ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident.
Das, a three term MLA, has represented the Jharsuguda Assembly constituency since 2009. He is considered to be the second richest minister in the State government after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Das, a 60-year-old politician from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is said to be a confidante of Patnaik.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence over the demise of Naba Kishore Das.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Saddened by the unfortunate demise of Minister in Odisha Government, Shri Naba Kishore Das Ji. Condolences to his family in this tragic hour. Om Shanti.”
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik offered his condolences and said that Naba Kisore Das' death was a great loss to Odisha.
“He was an asset for both the government and the party. He has successfully carried many initiatives in the health department to the benefit of the people,” the Chief Minister said.
