The motive behind the attack is still not clear.
New Delhi:
Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das was shot at by an assistant sub-inspector near Gandhi Chowk near Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district on Sunday. He was on his way to attend an event when he was shot and hit in the chest. The police officer fired two rounds, seriously injuring the minister, who was rushed to the hospital. Eyewitnesses said that he was later taken to Bhubaneswar.
Brajrajnagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Gupteshwar Bhoi told reporters, “Assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Gopal Das fired at the minister. The minister was injured and taken to the hospital.”
He said that the local people arrested the accused and later handed him over to the police.
Witnesses claim that he was shot as soon as he got out of his vehicle. The motive behind the attack is still not clear.
Video from the scene shows a bloodied Mr. Das being taken away in a car.
Naba Das was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Public Grievance Office. When he arrived, a crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly the sound of firing was heard. An eyewitness said, “We saw a policeman running away after firing from close range.”