In a shocking incident in Brajrajnagar town of Jharsuguda district on Sunday, Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Naba Kishore Das, was shot and critically injured by an assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI), Gopal Das. The minister received bullet wounds to his chest and was rushed to the hospital. His condition is said to be critical and he will be airlifted to Bhubaneswar and then shifted to Apollo hospital for further treatment.
The incident occurred while the minister was on his way to attend a meeting. In a video footage, Das is seen bleeding from the chest with people trying to lift the injured minister, who seemed unconscious, and place him on the front seat of a car. The ASI fired at least four to five bullets when the minister stepped out of his car at Gandhi square. He was then apprehended by local people and handed over to the police.
The exact reason behind the firing is yet to be ascertained as the ASI was deployed to look after the security arrangements for the event and was in close proximity to the minister when he opened fire. “The exact reason behind the firing is not clear. The ASI is currently being interrogated, and more details will be available after a thorough investigation,” said Brajrajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi.
The incident has raised serious questions on the security measures as a police escort was also provided for Naba Das, who was scheduled to attend a mega programme. Tensions prevailed at the spot after BJD activists staged a dharna following the firing incident. It is suspected that the firing was ‘pre-planned’ as the minister was allegedly shot at from close range.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack on the health minister and prayed for his speedy recovery. “I am shocked at the unfortunate attack on minister Naba Das. I strongly condemn the attack on him. I pray for his early recovery. The crime branch has been directed to take up the investigation of the case. Senior officers from the crime branch have been asked to go to the spot,” the CM said.
As Naba Das is a key BJD leader, and firing at him ahead of the 2024 elections is certainly a matter of grave concern as Odisha has a history of witnessing violence during the polls, said senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty. Naba Das is a very influential leader from Jharsukhda and had dumped Congress to join the BJP a few years back.
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