Odisha health minister shot by am ASI, dies in hospital

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Das died at a private hospital here after he was shot at on Sunday by an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, who was in charge of his security.
Das was airlifted from Jharsuguda to Bhubaneswar for treatment and admitted to the ICU of Apollo Hospital, with gunshot wounds on the left of his chest.
A team of doctors led by Debashis Nayak immediately attended to and operated on him, the hospital said in a medical bulletin.
“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,” said the bulletin.
“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,” said the hospital.
Brajarajnagar SDPO G Bhoi said the accused ASI, who fired around four to five rounds at the Minister, was overpowered by the police and taken into custody for interrogation.
The Minister had gone to Brajrajnagar to attend a function and when his supporters were welcoming him with flowers and garlands soon after he alighted from the car at Gandhi Chhak, the ASI who was in charge of his security fired at him at a close range.
The Minister fell down and was found in a pool of blood. Bleeding profusely, he was rushed to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters hospital.
As his condition deteriorated, the minister was airlifted to Bhubaneswar and the administration made a green corridor from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to the private hospital for smooth movement of the ambulance carrying the injured minister.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who went to the hospital, condemned the attack and directed the Crime Branch to take up the investigation of the case.