Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed a CID investigation into the shooting of state health and family welfare minister Naba Kishore Das by a police officer in Jharsuguda district on Sunday. According to sources acquainted with the situation, his health is serious, news agency PTI reported.
The incident occurred at Brajrajnagar, Jharsuguda district, as the minister was on his way to a function at Gandhi Chowk. Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das shot at Das as he was getting out of his automobile.
Visuals on social media showed the minister with a bullet injury being taken inside a car as he was being rushed to a local hospital. In the video footage, Das is seen bleeding from the chest as people try to lift him and place him on the front seat of a car.
Das was taken to a nearby hospital after the incident. According to officials, the minister is being flown to Bhubaneswar for further treatment.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the minister at Apollo Hospital and condemned the attack. He said, "I am shocked at the unfortunate incident of attack on honourable minister Shri Naba Das. I strongly condemn the attack on him. I pray for his early recovery."
Tension prevailed in the town in the wake of the incident, with supporters of Das questioning "security lapses". Some of them claimed that a conspiracy was hatched to target him.
Bhoi said that the ASI was currently being interrogated, and more details will be available after a thorough investigation.
"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.
(With Agencies Inputs)