Odisha Health Minister Naba Das, who was shot at, succumbs to bullet injuries; PM Modi condoles

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the death of Das and prayed for the departed soul.

Bhubaneshwar, Jan 29: Odisha Health Minister Naba Das, who was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district, succumbed to his bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital on Sunday, officials said. The Minister was airlifted to the Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar where he breathed his last.

A team of doctors at Apollo Hospital operated on him after he was airlifted from Jharsugada to Bhubaneshwar. "On operating, (it) was found that a single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung, and causing massive internal bleeding and injury. The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But, despite best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries," the hospital said in a statement.

Odisha | Visuals from outside a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, where state Health Minister Naba Das succumbed to bullet injuries after being shot by a policeman in Jharsuguda district earlier today pic.twitter.com/IjFVm4k9n5

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2023

According to officials, the injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But despite the best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep shock and distress over the unfortunate death of Minister Naba Das. "He was an asset for both the Govt and the party. His death is a great loss to the State of Odisha," Odisha CMO said.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik met family members of state Health Minister Naba Das at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, where the minister succumbed to bullet injuries after being shot by a policeman in Jharsuguda district earlier today pic.twitter.com/WWd2yB2EnC

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2023

In a statement, the CM, who was believed to be close to Das, said, "The doctors made every possible effort to save his life. But unfortunately, he could not recover. He has successfully carried out many initiatives in the health department for the benefit of people," Patnaik said.

As a leader, Das was instrumental in strengthening the Biju Janata Dal, the CM said, adding, he was a grassroot person and loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people.

The accused ASI was nabbed by locals, who then handed him over to the police, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief at the death of Odisha government minister Naba Kishore Das.
"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," PM Modi said.

Terrible news from Odisha. Odisha’s Health Minister Naba Kisore Das fired at by a security person. He has been rushed to the hospital in serious condition after sustaining bullet injury. One more person injured. More details are awaited.

pic.twitter.com/NGgkJWSLHu

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 29, 2023

"This incident occurred at about 12.30 afternoon at Gandhi chowk when Das was on his way to attend a programme. He sustained bullet injuries to his left chest, leaving him seriously injured," advocate and eyewitness Ram Mohan Rao told ANI.

"At a public grievance office opening, Naba Das was the chief guest. When he arrived, crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw a police personnel running away after shooting from close range. Minister to be air lifted to Bhubaneswar," he added.

#Odisha- Visuals from inside Apollo hospital in #Bhubaneswar. Health Minister #NabaDas was shot at by a police personal and was airlifted from #Jharsuguda.
CM #NaveenPatnaik also seen in the video. pic.twitter.com/8YGcrn0VvP

— Tazeen Qureshy (@TazeenQureshy) January 29, 2023

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Prateek Singh said a green corridor was set up in the state capital for ferrying the minister to the hospital from airport. Tension prevailed in Brajrajnagar in the wake of the incident, with supporters of the BJD minister questioning "security lapses". Some of them claimed that a conspiracy was hatched to target him.

Bhoi said that the ASI was currently being interrogated, and more details will be available after a thorough probe. The minister, a strongman in the mining hub of Jharsuguda, had switched over to the BJD from the Congress ahead of 2019 elections.

Moment When Odisha Health Minister #NabaDas Shot. pic.twitter.com/jgBv3NrNPf

— Sandeep Panwar (@tweet_sandeep) January 29, 2023

He is known to have business interests in coal mining, transportation and hospitality sectors. Meanwhile, Gopal Das' wife Jayanati told reporters at her residence near Berhampur in Ganjam district that she heard the news about her husband firing at the minister from television channels. Jayanati said Das had some mental disorder for the last seven-eight years, and was taking medicines and appeared quite normal.

She said her husband had made a video call to their daughter in the morning. Das had no personal enmity with the minister, said Jayanati, demanding a proper investigation into the matter to find out the truth.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has said that the deceased will be given a State honour and The national flag will fly at half-mast on the day of death and on the day of funeral. There will be no official entertainment for three days from January 29 to January 31 in the entire state.

State honour will be given to Odisha Health Minister Naba Das. The national flag will fly at half-mast on the day of death and on the day of funeral. There will be no official entertainment for 3 days from January 29 to January 31 in the entire state: Odisha Govt pic.twitter.com/EvFa03aMw9

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2023