Pradeep Pattanayak

Amid the ongoing probe into the high-profile murder of Naba Das by a policeman, ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik on Saturday expressed doubt over the security provided to him. 

"I have also been provided with an armed personal security officer (PSO). Most often I fear if he would turn out to be one like Gopal Das," said Patnaik on the sideline of a programme in Cuttack on Saturday. Patnaik was referring to Gopal Das who fired upon Naba Das that led to his death. 

The statement of MLA came a day after BJP MLA and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jaynarayan Mishra gave up his PSO. The incident has forced people to think about the seriousness of the situation as the police are yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the murder of Health Minister Naba Das. 

“I am surprised and find it unacceptable. The way an ASI fired upon a powerful minister and the latter died is hard to believe. I have also been provided with a PSO and he has a pistol. Most often I think if my PSO would become one like Gopal Das,” said Patnaik. 

“It is now the duty of the police to find out the actual reason behind the murder. Different theories are now doing rounds with respect to the incident and all of them are gossips. The police should find out the truth to put an end to all such gossip,” said the legislator. 

When asked about the DGP’s statement with respect to the incident, the lawmaker wryly said, “He should worship Lord Jagannath and invoke him to come in his dream and tell him the reason behind the murder. It would also go a long way in ending the difficulties of Bothra Babu (CB ADG Arun Bothra). There is an eagerness to know why an ASI killed a minister and it is the duty of the police to find out the truth.”

“Not all policemen are bad. Gopal Das is an exception. But we have to depend on the police otherwise there would be anarchy,” he opined. 

When asked about the justification of LoP Jaynarayan Mishra returning back his PSO, he said, “I don’t want to comment on what he said. But I would say what he has done is wrong.”

Notably, six days have passed since Gopal Das killed Naba Das at Gandhi Chhak in Brajarajnagar. But the police are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.

(Reported by Debasish Mohanty, OTV) 
 

scrollToTop