Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leader and Cabinet Minister Naba Kishore Das succumbed to his bullet injuries here while undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital on Sunday evening.
Apollo Hospital authorities announced the death of Shri Das in a statement. The hospital said the Minister was admitted with gunshot wounds to the left chest. A team of doctors led by Dr Debashish Nayak immediately attended to and operated on him.
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, it said.
“The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But despite best efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries,” the Apollo Hospital said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep shock and distress over the unfortunate death of the Health Minister. In a statement, the CM said, “I am shocked and distressed over the very unfortunate demise of Minister Naba Das. The doctors made every possible effort to save his life. But unfortunately, he could not recover.”
Stating that Shri Das was an asset for both the government and his party, Shri Patnaik said he has successfully carried out many initiatives in the Health department to the benefit of the people. As a leader, he was instrumental in strengthening Biju Janata Dal, the CM added.
Shri Das was a grass root person and was loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people. His death is a great loss to the State, CM Shri Patnaik said.
The CM has prayed for peace and tranquility of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family members.
BJD Veteran A U Singh Deo said he is saddened by Naba Babu’s tragic demise. He was an asset for the party and worked very hard for BJD during these years.
Shri Singh Deo said Shri Das was a popular leader of Western Odisha and worked for the people at large. My deepest condolences for his family and followers.
The Minister was shot at by a police ASI near Gandhi Chhak of Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district in broad daylight today when he was going to attend an inaugural function.
Police ASI Gopal Das, who was in uniform, suddenly came near to the vehicle of Shri Das and opened at the Minister using his office revolver. The Minister became senseless at the spot. However, the reason behind the brutal attack on the senior BJD leader is yet to be ascertained.
Earlier in the day, the CM had visited Apollo Hospital and enquired about the health condition of Shri Das. Crime Branch has been directed to take up the investigation of the case.
Soon after receiving orders from the government, a team of crime branch led by ADG Arun Bothra rushed to Brajarajnagar along to inquire into the firing incident.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed grief and sorrow over death of Shri Das.