Brajarajnagar: Health Minister Naba Kishore Das was critically injured after a policeman fired on him near Gandhi Chhak at Brajarajnagar in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district on Sunday.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Brajarajnagar Gupteswar Bhoi identified the attacker as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gopal Das, who was posted at Gandhi Chhak police outpost. “The ASI opened fire with his service revolver when the minister was proceeding to attend a programme. Two rounds were stated to have been fired,” he said.
Bhoi added the exact reason behind the ASI’s action is still not clear and he has been taken into custody for questioning.
Sources said the ASI, who hails from Ankuli area of Berhampur in Ganjam district, had served as Minister’s personal security officer (PSO) a few years ago. Recruited as a constable in 1990-1992, he served at the reserve police till being promoted as an ASI on September 9, 2009. A good footballer, Gopal was posted in Jharasuguda district in 2013. He also won 18 medals for investigations and was given cash awards eight times in his career.
Das, who has been representing the Jharsuguda assembly constituency since 2009, was rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH), where a special team of doctors are treating him. He was reported to have been shot in the chest.
Also Read: [Watch] Odisha Health Minister Naba Das Shot At In Brajarajnagar
Tension prevailed at the site as BJD activists staged a dharna following the firing.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised serious questions on the security measures as a police escort was also provided to the Minister.
It may be recalled that two bullets were fired on the then Law Minister Maheswar Mohanty on February 21, 2014, in Puri. The senior BJD leader had survived the attack.
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