The Minister has been admitted to a private-run hospital in the State Capital. His condition was stated to be critical.
According to sources, a green corridor was made from the Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar to Apollo Hospital in the city to ferry the Minister.
Sources said that ASI Gopal Das shot at Minister Naba Das from a close range when the latter stepped out of his vehicle near Gandhi Chhak at Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district around this noon.
The incident occurred when the Minister was on his way to attend a programme. The exact reason behind the firing was unclear till the report was filed.
ASI Gopal Das was posted at Gandhi Chhak Police Out-post at Brajarajnagar.
Following the incident, the Minister was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital, Jharsuguda. Later, he was airlifted to the State Capital.
Brajarajnagar SDPO Gupteswar Bhoi said the accused ASI had been taken into custody and interrogation was on to ascertain the motive behind the crime.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack on the Health Minister and ordered a Crime Branch investigation into the incident.
Read More Odisha News
