Jharsuguda: The ASI of police, who allegedly opened fire today at Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das near Gandhi Chhak in Brajarajnagar locality of Jharsuguda, presently works as the in-charge of local outpost of the district. Gopal was born in Jaleswarkhandi village of Ganjam district.
The accused policeman resides in Brajarajnagar and his family including the ASI’s wife Jayanti resides in Ankuli industrial estate of Berhampur and under Baidyanathpur police limits of Ganjam.
Gopal Das was initially posted as a constable when he joined the Odisha Police. Previously, the cop was promoted to the post of ASI around 12 years ago. During these 12 years, he was placed at different police stations in Jharsuguda district, a source said.
The policeman was deployed today in the law and order arrangement made for Naba Das. The accused had parked his motorcycle (bearing registration number OR-23 E-6818) nearly 50 metres away from the spot where the health minister was shot at amid a huge crowd of public.
The firing took place when the minister alighted from a car to attend an inauguration programme and his supporters were garlanding him. He sustained bullet injuries on chest. The incident and sound of the gunshot were caught on a mobile phone camera.
Gopal was immediately overpowered and nabbed and then detained by police for questioning. Besides, Odisha Crime Branch has been directed to probe into the incident, which is underway.
The minister was rescued and rushed to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). It was later decided to airlift him to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar after his condition deteriorated.
The reason behind an extreme act by the ASI is yet to be known. The policeman used his service revolver to fire at the health minister, Brajarajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi said.