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Killing Of Naba Das Shows Lawlessness In Odisha: Pradhan

By LokMarg 5th February 2023

BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday alleged that the killing of Odisha minister Naba Das by a policeman “shows lawlessness in the state”.

Naba Das was shot at by a policeman in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district on January 29, and succumbed to his bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital on the same day.
“DGP’s statement that Lord Jagannath could anticipate an incident such as the killing of a minister’ shows lawlessness in the state. The Crime Branch is probing into the matter, but there is no clarity in inquiry,” Pradhan said.

Addressing the media, Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Bansal had said: “There are certain incidents which are unprecedented and unimaginable. Only Lord Jagannath could anticipate such an unprecedented incident in Odisha’s Jharsuguda.”

“We have suo moto requested High Court to appoint a judge to monitor the investigation to ensure that no questions are raised about the scope and the intensity of the investigation. Some very important clues have been identified in the investigation and I am very satisfied with it,” he said on Friday.

He further said that such a “complicated” case is bound to take time and one should not jump to a conclusion as it involves a sitting police personnel fired upon a sitting cabinet minister.

“I am sure the way the investigation is being conducted by the topmost officers of Odisha Police and now we have the guidance of retired HC judge, all the angles are considered, but no timeline can be given as it is a complicated case where a sitting police officer has fired at the sitting cabinet minister,” he said.

Notably on Thursday, the special investigating team (SIT) probing minister Naba Das’ murder recovered handwritten notes of accused ASI Gopal Das from a septic tank of Jharsuguda Airport police station.

The CID and Crime Branch team in a statement said that the accused ASI during questioning revealed that he threw handwritten notes in a septic tank of the toilet of Jharsunguda Airport police station and that he had noted down his motives behind the crime in detail on the paper.

The recovered pieces of handwritten papers will be sent to forensics and handwriting experts for the reconstruction of evidence and further examination, the Crime Branch said.

The preserved viscera of the deceased have also been sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Rasulgarh in Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR) for chemical examination and opinion, it said.

The Scientific Officer and Ballistic Experts also recovered one fired bullet during inspecting the vehicle and the crime spot using a FARO 3-D Scanner.

A medical team led by DSP and CID Crime Branch at Berhampur is verifying the accused’s medical treatment records and financial behaviour.

Accused Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gopal Das had confessed to his crime, the police informed on January 30.

His wife Jayanti Das on January 29 claimed that Gopal Das has been suffering mental disorder for the last eight years and was on medication, doing fine. (ANI)

Odisha CM Mourns Demise Of Min Naba Das

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Expressing shock and distress over the demise of State Health Minister Naba Das when he succumbed to bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said that Naba Das was an asset to both the Government and the party and his death is a great loss to Odisha.

Das was shot at by one police personnel near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district earlier today.
Das, who was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district, succumbed to his injuries in Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar today.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said, “I am shocked and distressed over the very unfortunate demise of Minister Sri Naba Das. The doctors made every possible effort to save his life. But unfortunately, he could not recover,” the Chief Minister said.

Describing the late minister an asset for the government and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Patnaik said that Das carried out several initiatives to benefit the people.

“As a leader, he was instrumental in strengthening Biju Janata Dal. He was a grass root person and was loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people,” he said.

“His death is a great loss to the State of Odisha,” the Chief Minister added.

Patnaik also prayed for peace and tranquility of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family members.

The Health Minister, who was said to be in a critical condition, was airlifted to the Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar where he breathed his last.

Das was shot at by one police personnel near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district earlier today, following which he was critically injured.

A team of doctors led by Dr Debashish Nayak immediately attended to and operated on him.

On operating 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 officials said.

According to officials, 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.

Following the shooting incident, the Chief Minister directed the Crime Branch to take up the investigation into the matter, following which a team of Odisha Crime Branch headed by a senior police official proceeded to Brajarajnagar where state Health Minister Naba Das was shot at.

The team led by Additional Director General Arun Bothra left for the crime spot to inquire into the firing incident on Minister Naba Das.

Earlier, an eyewitness, advocate Ram Mohan Rao said that the policeman fired at the Odisha minister from point-blank range.

“This incident occurred at about 12.30 afternoon at Gandhi chowk when Das was on his way to attend a program. He sustained bullet injuries to his left chest, leaving him seriously injured,” Rao said.

“At a public grievance office opening, Naba Das was the chief guest. When he arrived, the crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw police personnel running away after the shooting from close range. Minister to be airlifted to Bhubaneswar,” he added.

The exact reason behind the firing is still unclear. (ANI)

Odisha Min Naba Kisore Das Shot At By Policeman, Claims Eye Witness

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das was today shot at by a policeman at Gandhi Chowk near Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district on Sunday, an eyewitness told ANI.

Das was later admitted to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters hospital.
An eyewitness, advocate Ram Mohan Rao said that the policeman fired at the Odisha minister from point-blank range.

“At a public grievance office opening, Naba Das was the chief guest. When he arrived, a crowd gathered to welcome him. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard. We saw police personnel running away after the shooting from close range. Minister to be airlifted to Bhubaneswar,” he added.

The exact reason behind the firing is still unclear. (ANI)