New Delhi: Odisha's Health and Family Welfare minister Naba Kishore Das, who was shot at in chest, died in the hospital on Sunday, news agency PTI reported.
He was critically injured after being shot in the chest in the Brajarajnagar area of Jharsuguda district.
Expressing condolence over the minister’s death, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “He was an asset for both the Govt and the party. His death is a great loss to the State of Odisha.”
The incident took place at Brajrajnagar, Jharsuguda district, as the minister was on his way to an event at Gandhi Chowk. Sources said that assistant sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das allegedly shot at Das as he was getting out of his automobile.
Visuals on the social media showed the minister with a bullet injury being taken inside a car as he was being rushed to a local hospital. He was later airlifted to Bhubaneswar with an accompanying team of medical specialists and live saving equipment on Sunday.
"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, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, a seven-member special investigating team, comprising a cyber expert, a ballistic expert, and officers of the Crime Branch, was formed to probe the case. The team will be led by Deputy SP Ramesh Dora.
"At a public grievance office opening, Naba Das was the chief guest. When he arrived, a crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw police personnel running away after shooting from close range, Minister to be airlifted to Bhubaneswar," news agency ANI quoted an eyewitness as saying.