Odisha Health Minister Airlifted To Bhubaneswar In Critical Condition; CM Naveen Patnaik Orders Crime Branch Probe Into Firing

Bhubaneswar : Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das was airlifted to Bhubaneswar as he was critically injured after being shot at by a police official at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district on Sunday.

According to sources, the Minister was flown in an air ambulance from Jharsuguda. Soon after his arrival in the state capital, the senior BJD leader will be taken to a private hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack on the health minister and ordered a crime branch probe into the firing incident.

“I am shocked at the unfortunate incident of attack on honourable minister Shri Naba Das. I strongly condemn the attack on him. I pray for his early recovery,” he said.

“Crime branch has been directed to take up the investigation of the case . Senior officers of crime branch have been asked to go to the spot,” the Chief Minister said.

The Health Minister was shot at near Gandhi Chhak at Brajarajnagar as he stepped out of the car to attend an official programme and his supporters were garlanding him. A policeman reportedly fired at least four to five rounds of bullets and a bullet hit him in his chest. The minister collapsed immediately after the incident. A local youth and a police officer also sustained bullet injuries.

Das, who has been representing the Jharsuguda assembly constituency since 2009, was immediately rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) for treatment. As his condition worsened, it was decided to send him to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.