The tragic death of Odisha Minister Naba Kishore Das at the hands of a police officer has sparked intense debate across India. The police officer in question had a history of mental illness and was undergoing treatment for his condition when he shot the minister. This devastating incident raises important questions about how we treat mental health issues, including whether people with mental illnesses should be allowed to work in law enforcement roles. In this article post, we will examine these issues and discuss potential solutions to ensure tragedies like these are avoided in the future.
A psychiatrist was treating Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Gopalkrushna Das, who allegedly shot dead Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das here.
Despite his history of mental illness, Das was given a service revolver and assigned to a police post in Brajrajnagar, where he shot and killed Das. Dr. Chandra Sekhar Tripathy, Psychiatry department head at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, told reporters that Das had bipolar disorder.
A decade ago, Das visited Tripathy’s clinic for the first time. “He used to get very angry and was treated for it,” Tripathy said.
It is likely that he took his medication regularly, but I am not sure how much he was taking on a daily basis. If the medication is not taken on a regular basis, the disease will reappear. “His last visit was a year ago,” the doctor explained. According to experts, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings ranging from hyper mania to depression. Treatment, including counseling, can, however, control the disease.
By examining the case of the cop who killed the Odisha Minister, we can see how mental illness is a very real and serious issue that must be addressed. Mental health disorders should not just be treated as an afterthought or ignored altogether. It’s important to recognize the signs of mental illness early on so that it can be properly managed and those struggling with their mental health get the help they need before it leads to tragedy. We must view mental health issues with compassion rather than judgment in order to ensure everyone gets access to quality healthcare services.
