Earlier in the day, Das was shot and grievously injured when he got out of his car, allegedly by a police officer who was captured.
“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,” a statement issued by the hospital said.
The incident took place in Brajrajnagar town around 1 pm when the minister was on his way to attend a programme.
“Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das opened fire at the minister, who sustained bullet injuries. The minister was then rushed to a hospital,” Brajrajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi told reporters.
The accused ASI was nabbed by local people, who then handed him over to the police, he said.
An inquiry has been launched to find out what prompted the ASI to open fire, Bhoi said.
In a video footage that is in possession of PTI, Das is 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.
Initially, he was taken to the Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital, the SDPO said. Arrangements were then made to airlift him to a Bhubaneswar hospital for “better treatment”, he stated.
Tension prevailed in the town in the wake of the incident, with supporters of Das questioning “security lapses”.
Some of them claimed that a conspiracy was hatched to target him.
Bhoi said that the ASI was currently being interrogated, and more details will be available after a thorough investigation.
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