Odisha to observe 3-day state mourning for Naba Das, last rites in Jharsuguda today

The Odisha Government has announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect for Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das who succumbed to gunshot wound on Sunday. 

Das, who was the wealthiest Minister in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Cabinet, was shot in the chest by an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) in Jharsuguda and died hours later while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.

As per a circular issued by the State Home Department, three-day state mourning will be observed from January 29 to January 31 in honour of Das and there will be no official entertainment during this period throughout the state.

“It has been decided by the government of Odisha that as a mark of respect, state honour would be accorded to the departed dignitary. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of death in the state capital and on the day of the funeral at the place where the funeral takes place. There will be no official entertainment for three days from 29.01.2023 to 31.01.2023 throughout the state,” read the notification.

“Minister Parliamentary Affairs, Finance, Minister Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and Minister Commerce, Transport, Water Resources will pay homage to the mortal remains on behalf of the State government and State honour will be arranged by D.P, Jharsuguda during the funeral at the cremation site,” the notification added.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life thronged Das' official residence in Bhubaneswar today to pay him last respect. The last rites of Das will be performed at Jharsuguda today, family sources said.

Reported by Bibartan Panda, OTV