Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das died hours after being shot by a policeman, battling a bullet that pierced his heart and lung, Apollo Hospital officials said.

A team of doctors operated on him after he was airlifted from Jharsugada to Bhubaneshwar, hospital officials said.

The 60-year old minister was shot through the heart at Brajrajnagar town around 1 pm on Sunday when he was on his way to attend a programme in the district.

“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. The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But, despite best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries,” the hospital said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the death of Das.

“Saddened by the unfortunate demise of Minister in Odisha Government, Shri Naba Kishore Das Ji. Condolences to his family in this tragic hour. Om Shanti,” Modi said in a tweet.

In a statement, Patnaik, who was believed to be close to Das, said he is shocked and distressed.

“The doctors made every possible effort to save his life. But unfortunately, he could not recover. He has successfully carried out many initiatives in the health department for the benefit of people,” Patnaik said.

As a leader, Das was instrumental in strengthening the Biju Janata Dal, the CM said, adding, he was a “grassroot person” and was “loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people”.

Considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Patnaik, Das, who took oath as a minister of health and family welfare on May 29, 2019, continued in the same portfolio even when the chief minister came up with an overhaul of his cabinet last June.

The health minister’s proactive role during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly ensured this vote of confidence by the BJD supremo.

The Minister was shot by Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das, a policeman who was suffering from bipolar disorder which causes extreme mood swings, according to psychiatrists.

In video footage in possession of the news agency PTI, the minister was seen bleeding from the chest with people trying to lift the injured minister, who seemed unconscious and place him on the front seat of a car.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Prateek Singh said a green corridor was set up in the state capital for ferrying Das to the hospital from the airport.

Tension prevailed in Brajrajnagar in the wake of the incident, with supporters of the BJD minister questioning “security lapses”.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded the resignation of Patnaik, accusing him of failing to maintain law and order in Odisha.

“When the government is unable to give security to the cabinet minister, how can it protect the lives of the common man?” said Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja.

Image courtesy: PTI