Odisha Health Minister Naba Das dies hours after he was shot at by ASI

Odisha Health Minister Naba Das died of bullet wounds on Sunday evening, hours after being attacked. The minister was critically injured after an assistant sub inspector of police shot at him from close range. The incident occurred in the western Odisha town of Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district.

“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,” a statement from Apollo Hospital read.

The incident was condemned by Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik. He also paid a visit to the hospital where the minister was admitted shortly after the attack, where he met his son.

Das, 60, was said to be the second richest minister after the Chief Minister when he was getting out of his car at Gandhi chhak to attend a program, according to people familiar with the matter. Gopal Das, an assistant sub-inspector of police, then opened fire on him. Bullets struck Gupteswar Bhoi’s chest on the left side, according to the sub-divisional police officer. The attack also injured another cop. Das was flown to Bhubaneshwar for medical treatment.

“We are interrogating the ASI to know why he fired at the minister,” the SDPO said.

Source:HT