According to an official statement from the Odisha government, the national flag will fly at half-mast on the day of death and on the day of the funeral. "There will be no official entertainment for 3 days from January 29 to January 31 in the entire state," it read.
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, steps were taken to improve the heart pumping. He was given urgent ICU care. But despite the best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and leaders cutting across party lines expressed condolences over the unfortunate death of Minister Das.
The exact reason behind the firing is still unclear.
