Crime Branch to probe firing at Odisha minister Naba Das; CM condemns attack

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch has been directed to probe into the incident of firing at Odisha Health Minister Naba Das in Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district today, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The agency has been asked to take up the investigation of the case. Senior officers of the Crime Branch have been directed to go to the spot, the CM said.

Condemning the attack on Das, the Chief Minister 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.”

Das, who sustained critical injuries after an ASI of police opened fire at him, has been airlifted from the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.

The firing incident took place at Gandhi Chhak when the minister alighted from a car to attend a programme and his supporters were garlanding him. He sustained bullet injuries on chest. The minister was rescued and rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital.

It was later decided to shift him to the hospital in Bhubaneswar as his condition deteriorated.

The accused cop, identified as Gopal Das, was immediately nabbed and then detained by police for questioning. He was serving as an ASI at the Gandhi Chhak police outpost.

The reason behind the extreme act by the ASI was yet to be known. The ASI used his service revolver to fire at the minister, said Gupteswar Bhoi, SDPO, Brajarajnagar.