Bhubaneswar: The body of Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das who succumbed to the bullet fired by a police ASI on Sunday was flown to Jharsuguda on Monday by a special aircraft for cremation.
This morning Odisha Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, leaders from all political parties and senior bureaucrats visited the official residence of the minister to pay floral tributes to the departed soul.
A guard of honour was accorded at the residence by the Odisha police before the mortal remains started its journey to Jharsuguda.
From the official residence, the body was taken in a procession to the BJD party office where party leaders in large numbers were present to pay their last respect to the departed soul.
On arrival at the Jharsuguda airport the body was taken in a procession to his residence.
Thousands of well wishers, party supporters and people from all walks of life were seen standing on both sides of the roads to see the last glimpse of their leader.
A pall of gloom descended in the entire Jharsuguda town with the demise of the minister. All shops and business establishments were closed in the Jharsuguda town as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
As a mark of respect state honour would be accorded to Naba Das .The national flag was flown at half-mast on the day of death in the state capital and on the day of funeral at Jharsuguda where funeral will take place
There will be no official entertainment for three days from January 29 to January 31 throughout the state .
The state parliamentary affairs, finance minister, Agriculture and farmers’ empowerment, fisheries & animal resources development minister and minister, commerce, transport, water resources will pay homage to the mortal remains on behalf of the state government
The state honour will be arranged by Jharsuguda Superintendent of police during the funeral at the cremation site.
ASI Gopal Das who was in charge of the security of the minister fired two rounds at the Minister at the Gandhi chhak in Brajarajnagar where Naba Das had gone to attend a function .
The incident took place when the supporters of the minister were welcoming him with flowers and garlands soon after he alighted from the car at Gandhi Chhak.
The ASI present at the spot as in charge of his security fired at him at a close range.
With profuse bleeding the critically injured Minister was rushed to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters hospital from where he was airlifted to Bhubaneswar and admitted at a private hospital where he succumbed to the bullet wounds during treatment.
