Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 : Jayanati Das, the wife of ASI Gopal Das who shot at the Odisha Minister of Health and Family Welfare Naba Das at Brajarajnagar Nagar in Jharsuguda on Sunday, said the ASI was not mentally well.

Talking to a private Odia News Channel, she said her husband was taking medicine for mental illness. But his behaviour with his family members was good.

IG Northern Range Dipak Kumar said in addition to the Health Minister another person was also injured in the firing.

As per Kumar’s preliminary investigation, four rounds were fired at the minister by the ASI. While the first bullet hit the Minister, the second one hit another person.

Soon police personnel present at the spot overpowered the accused ASI and disarmed him. During that period the ASI fired two more rounds but it did not hit anyone.

The accused is being interrogated and so far the reason behind the attack is not clear.

After the Minister was fired at, he was rushed to District Headquarter hospital Jharsuguda and later airlifted to Bhubaneswar for treatment at a private hospital.

A green corridor was made from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to the private hospital for the hassle-free movement of the critically injured Health Minister and the ambulances and the doctors.

Sources said a five-member medical team comprising doctors from Surgery, Cardiology Anaesthesia and Medicine was constituted for the treatment of the Health Minister.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, several Ministers of the Council of Ministers and senior BJD leaders reached the private hospital before the Health Minister was taken there for treatment and monitored the situation.

He also wished the Minister a speedy recovery and ordered Crime Branch to investigate the attack.