bWhen the entire State was awestruck on the shoot-out of former Health Minister Naba Das at a rally in Jharsuguda and his sad demise in a hospital hours after the incident on Sunday, with the CM, all Ministers and MLAs and Governor mourning the death and the State Government declaring a three-day mourning, the Dhenkanal district administration was busy in celebration of the Dhenkanal Mahotsav and a musical night the same day.
The reckless attitude of the district administration has drawn flak from many, including intellectuals and common masses.
One Puspita Sahoo who was witnessing the musical programmes till 10.30 pm said, “Where is our mistake when the Minister, MLA and Collector did not feel the programme should be closed.”
Former Minister Navin Chandra Narayan Das who was a guest for the valedictory ceremony reacted, saying all the entertainment programmes could have been postponed after 8 pm when the death news of the Minister was telecast.
Senior lawyer Deepak Prasad Pattnaik said, “I was astonished how the Collector, Dhenkanal has no common sense.” Senior journalist Manas Rath, Pradyumna Prasad Rath, District Journalist Association president Prasana Pattnaik, District Small Newspapers Editors Association president Siba Prasad Mohapatra and educationist Dr Amiya Rath decried the reckless act of the district Collector.