Jharsuguda: Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, who was shot at by an on-duty cop in Jharsuguda district on Sunday, has succumbed to his injury.
The incident occurred near Gandhi Chhak of Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda as Das was on the way to attend a function.
ASI Gopal Das, who was in his uniform, suddenly came near the minister`s vehicle and opened fire at him with his service revolver, said Brajarajnagar sub divisional police officer (SDPO) Gupteswar Bhoi.
The ASI was taken into custody, but the reason behind the brutal attack on the senior BJD leader is yet to be ascertained.
The minister fell unconscious at the spot. In such critical condition, he was first admitted to a local hospital. Then, he was airlifted to Bhubaneswar and is now under treatment at the Apollo Hospital.
A team of the best specialists in the state, drawn from Apollo Hospital, SCB Medical College, and Capital Hospital are attending to him, a Health Department official said.
Strongly condemning the murderous attack on the Health Minister, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the Crime Branch to investigate the case.