India: Odisha’s health minister shot by cop from close range succumbs to bullet injury

Odisha's Health and Family Welfare minister Naba Kishore Das died of a bullet injury, news agency PTI reported quoting officials from the Apollo hospital in Bhubaneswar.The health minister of India’s southeastern Odisha state was shot at by a policeman from point-blank range in Brajarajnagar town on Sunday afternoon. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep shock and distress over the unfortunate death of Das. "He was an asset for both the government and the party. His death is a great loss to the state of Odisha," the CM said.

“Das was admitted with gunshot wounds on his left chest. 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 injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But despite best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries,” said the statement issued by Apollo hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Naba Kishore Das, a 60-year-old politician from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party and said to be a confidante of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik, was getting out of his car to attend a meeting when Assistant Sub-Inspector Gopal Das fired at him.

According to reports, Das suffered injuries on the left side of his chest, while another policeman, who was standing guard, was also injured.

"Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das opened fire at the minister, who sustained bullet injuries," Brajrajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi told reporters.

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The accused ASI was nabbed by locals, who then handed him over to the police, the officer said.The ASI was being interrogated, and more details will be available after a thorough probe.

The minister wasinitially taken to the Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital and was thenairlifted to Bhubaneswar in an air ambulance and admitted to Apollo Hospital.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack and ordered the crime branch to probe the case.

"I am shocked at the unfortunate incident of attack on honourable minister Naba Das. I strongly condemn the attack on him. I pray for his early recovery. Senior officers of crime branch have been asked to go to the spot," Patnaik said in a statement.

BJD supporters question security lapse

Meanwhile, tensions prevailed in Brajrajnagar in the wake of the incident, with supporters of the BJD minister questioning "security lapses", while others suspecta conspiracy.

Das, a strongman in the mining hub of Jharsuguda, joined BJD after defecting from the Congress ahead of the 2019 elections.

He is known to have business interests in coal mining, transportation and hospitality sectors.

(With inputs from agencies)

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