Odisha Health Minister Naba Kisore Das shot by cop dies
Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kisore Das passed away on Sunday, hours after being fatally shot by a police officer near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district. Reportedly, Das was on his way to attend an event at Gandhi Chowk when the incident happened. He was airlifted to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The motive behind the attack is still unclear.
Visuals showing Das being taken to hospital
Accused cop being interrogated; motive unclear: Senior police officer
Officials reportedly said that Das sustained multiple bullet injuries in the chest after Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gopal Das—posted at the Gandhi Chowk police outpost—allegedly opened fire at him. "We have taken the ASI into custody. He is currently being interrogated... I am not able to tell the exact reason...why the police officer took such a step," Gupteswar Bhoi, sub-divisional police officer (Brajrajnagar), said earlier.
Tension in area as Das's supporters hold dharna
The accused ASI fired at least four to five rounds of bullets at Das as the minister stepped out of his car, The Indian Express reported. The minister collapsed immediately following the attack, while another police officer and a local were also injured in the attack. After the gun shooting incident, supporters of Das staged a protest triggering tension in the area.
Who was Naba Kisore Das?
Das was a three-time MLA from Jharsuguda. He switched to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Congress in 2019, before the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Das was among the most affluent ministers in CM Naveen Patnaik's cabinet, with assets worth Rs. 34cr. The incident is seen as a setback for the BJD government, as he was reportedly attacked at an official program.
CM Patnaik condemns attack on Das
Odisha CM Patnaik expressed shock and condemned the attack on Das, adding the Odisha Police's Crime Branch will probe the incident. Following Das's demise, the chief minister offered condolences to his family and said, "He was an asset for both the government and the party. He has successfully carried many initiatives in the health department to the benefit of the people."
