Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik attends Naba Das’ memorial meeting

Jharsuguda: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attended memorial meeting of Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, who was killed by a police personnel here in the district on January 29.

Accompanied by Odisha Govt’s 5T Secretary VK Pandian, CM Patnaik offered condolence to bereaved family and paid floral tribute to his late cabinet colleague on 12th day of the latter’s demise.

He boarded a flight from Bhubaneswar and headed for the memorial meeting held at Sarbahal  High School Ground for Naba Das, one of the strong BJD leaders in western Odisha, after landing at Veer Surendra Sai Airport. After paying tribute, he returned to the state capital.

Cutting across party lines, many members of Odisha Legislative Assembly and Cabinet as well attended the memorial meeting mourning the loss of the late Health Minister.

In view of CM’s visit and gathering of VVIPs for the memorial meet, elaborate traffic arrangements have been made in Jharsuguda. As part of security arrangements, movement of heavy vehicles have been suspended from Bus Stand to Sarbahal High School. As many as 25 platoons of police forces have been deployed for law and order in the town.

Worth mentioning that Naba Das was shot dead while he was stepping out of his car to attend a public meeting at Gandhi Chowk in Brajarajnagar of Jharsuguda on January 29. Police ASI Gopal Krushna Das, who was deployed for traffic clearance during the event, allegedly fired at the Health Minister from his service revolver. Immediately, he was airlifted to Bhubaneswar and admitted to the Apollo Hospital, where he was declared dead.