Jharsuguda: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday attended the Shradhanjali Sabha of Health Minister Naba Das and paid tributes to the late leader at Jharsuguda.
Naveen offered floral tributes to his former cabinet colleague on his 12th day (Dwadasah) rituals. Secretary to CM (5t) V K Pandian accompanied him.
Soon after arriving at Jharsuguda, the Chief Minister met the family members of Naba Das and proceeded to the venue of the Shradhanjali Sabha. He had a brief interaction with the slain leader’s daughter Deepali and son Vishal and consoled them.
Speaking at the memorial service, Deepali got emotional remembering the late leader. “My father used to say truth always triumphs. He always wanted development of Jharsuguda. He taught us to keep our head up,” she said with her voice choked with emotion.
Several Ministers and senior BJD leaders are also attending the memorial service. Leaders from the region have been given the responsibility of coordinating the programme, soruces said.
Extensive arrangements were made by the district administration and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the Chief Minister’s visit and the memorial programme.
Tight security arrangements were made for the memorial service ceremony, sources said. As many as 13 platoons of armed police force have been deployed. Since the death of Naba Das, police have been deployed in various sensitive areas of the district and night patrolling has been tightened. The sensitive areas have been kept under CCTV surveillance. Reserve police force have also been kept on high alert.
Naba had succumbed to a bullet injury after being shot at by an assistant sub-inspector of police at Brajarajnagar on January 29. His last rites were conducted with full state honours at his native place the following day. His son recently flew to Prayagraj to immerse his ashes in the Ganga.
The Crime Branch is probing the alleged murder of the three-time MLA and influential leader from western Odisha
