Exact motive of the crime is yet to be ascertained. The accused was overpowered at the spot and is now under police custody.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. (Photo:IANS)
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered a probe by the Crime Branch of the State Police into the murderous attack on Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das on Sunday by an Assistant Sub-Inspector in Jharsuguda district.
The Minister Das, who reportedly sustained bullet wounds on his chest, is being airlifted to Bhubaneswar from Jharsuguda as his health condition deteriorated.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack on his Cabinet colleague and prayed for his speedy recovery.
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“I am shocked at the unfortunate incident of the attack on Minister Naba Das. I strongly condemn the attack on him. I pray for his early recovery,” Chief Minister Patnaik said in a statement.
“The Crime Branch has been directed to take up the investigation of the case. Senior officers of the Crime Branch have been asked to go to the spot,” the statement added.
The incident occurred at around 1 pm when Minister Das was attending a programme.
The assailant Gopal Das, ASI, posted at Gandhi Chowk Police outpost and was deployed at the venue for maintenance of law and order opened fire at the minister unprovoked and all of a sudden.
At least two more persons, including a police officer, are reported to have been injured due to the cop’s firing.
Exact motive of the crime is yet to be ascertained. The accused was overpowered at the spot and is now under police custody. He is being interrogated, Sub Divisional Police Officer, Gupteswar Bhoi said while refusing to divulge further details.
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