Bhubaneswar: Odisha Minister Maheshwar Mohanty was today stated to be "stable and out of danger" after doctors removed a bullet lodged in his ribs even as police claimed to have got clues about the assailants who shot at him.
"The condition of the minister is stable and he is out of danger. He will be under observation for 48 hours," Kalinga Hospital chief R K Padhee told reporters.
He was admitted in the intensive care unit and a team of expert surgeons had operated on him.
Mohanty, a Tourism and Culture minister, last night sustained bullet injuries on his left arm and back when the attackers, who were apparently following him on a two-wheeler, opened fire at him in a narrow lane near his house in Puri, police said.
He was rushed to a hospital in Puri and subsequently shifted to Bhubaneswar.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra who visited the spot in Puri, said: "We have received certain clues and the culprits would be arrested soon. They hail from Puri town."
The DGP ruled out the possibility of involvement of attackers from outside the district in the incident. "The police had information that certain local persons were involved in the crime," he said.
Sources said two persons had opened fire at the minister from a single point and the intention was to kill him.
Puri SP Anup Kumar Sahu said: "We have been probing into different angles to assertain motive of the crime."
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, his ministers and political personalities from different parties visited the hospital and enquired about Mohanty's health.
Both opposition Congress and BJP condemned the incident and demanded stringent action against the culprits. They also said that law and order situation has completely collapsed in Puri town.
"The condition of the minister is stable and he is out of danger. He will be under observation for 48 hours," Kalinga Hospital chief R K Padhee told reporters.
He was admitted in the intensive care unit and a team of expert surgeons had operated on him.
He was rushed to a hospital in Puri and subsequently shifted to Bhubaneswar.
Advertisement
The DGP ruled out the possibility of involvement of attackers from outside the district in the incident. "The police had information that certain local persons were involved in the crime," he said.
Advertisement
Puri SP Anup Kumar Sahu said: "We have been probing into different angles to assertain motive of the crime."
Advertisement
Both opposition Congress and BJP condemned the incident and demanded stringent action against the culprits. They also said that law and order situation has completely collapsed in Puri town.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Natural Disasters Increasing Concerns": PM Modi On Independence Day Thai Court Removes PM Over Appointment Of Minister With Criminal Conviction In Pics: 10 Years Of PM Modi's Symbolic Headgears On Independence Day 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Cops Post Rioters' Pics After Vandalism During Kolkata Rape-Murder Protest Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel Ola Roadster Electric Motorcycles Launched, Prices Start From Rs 74,999 Aiming To Achieve Net Zero Emission In Railways By 2030: PM Modi Japan Lifts Megaquake Warning, Says Citizens Can Return To Normal Life Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.