President, PM, other dignitaries condole death of Odisha health minister Naba Das

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Several dignitaries from and outside Odisha condoled after state Health Minister Naba Kishore Das succumbed to severe bullet injuries tonight at a private health facility here while undergoing treatment.

President of India Droupadi Murmu condoled the sad demise saying, “Shocked and disturbed by the death of Shri Naba Kishore Das ji, Odisha Health minister, in a dastardly act of violence. My deepest condolences to his family and well-wishers.”

Taking to his Twitter handle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Saddened by the unfortunate demise of Minister in Odisha Government, Shri Naba Kishore Das Ji. Condolences to his family in this tragic hour. Om Shanti.”

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted in Odia, “I am deeply saddened by the news that Odisha Health Minister Naba Das died while undergoing treatment in a hospital following a gun attack on him at Brajarajnagar when he had to attend a programme. The incident, which happened with him, has perturbed me.”

“His (departed Naba Das) works as a people’s representative will always be remembered. I express my condolences to his bereaved family and pray that his soul may rest in peace. In such tough times, may Lord Jagannath give his family members endless patience and courage,” Pradhan added.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya too condoled the death of Naba Das.

“Deeply anguished by the unfortunate demise of Health Minister of Odisha, Naba Kishore Das Ji. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family,” said Mandaviya in a Twitter post.

Governor Odisha tweeted that, “The honourable Governor of Odisha expressed his deep condolence for Health Minister Shri @nabadasjsg on his sad demise and compassion for the bereaved family members and prayed that the immortal soul may rest in peace. Om Shanti.”

Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan too expressed his grief over the death of Odisha Health Minister.

“Das was elected to Odisha Assembly several times. He was serving the people as the Health Minister of Odisha. I condemned his murder in broad daylight. I pray that his soul may rest in peace. My thought and prayers are with the bereaved family,” said Harichandan.

BJP state unit chief Samir Mohanty tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the news that Odisha Health Minister Naba Das died while undergoing treatment in Apollo Hospital, Bhubaneswar following a gun attack on him at Brajarajnagar when he had to attend a programme.”

“As a people’s representative and a political leader, his (Naba Das’s) works will be remembered forever. I express my condolences to his bereaved family and pray that his soul may rest in peace. May Lord Jagannath give his family members patience and courage in such tough times,” Mohanty added.

Khandapada BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik condoled and wrote, “I am deeply perturbed by such untimely death of our Health Minister Naba Kishore Das. I strongly condemn, especially, the way and the circumstances under which he was killed in a barbaric gun attack.”

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattanayak also condoled the demise of Health Minister Naba Das.

“This is the first incident in Odisha in which a State minister was shot dead by a police official. The state government should take the necessary steps to complete the investigation at the earliest and make it public. The Chief Minister, who is holding the Home department, should own responsibility for the incident,” Pattanayak said.