Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: Tripura Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar was found dead inside his office washroom on Monday. Security staff heard a noise between 11:30 am and 11:40 am, discovered the 1994-batch IPS officer hanging, and rushed him to GB Hospital. Doctors performed CPR for 48 minutes before declaring him dead at 12:48 pm. Dr. Pradip Bhowmik confirmed the condition, stating, "The DGP was practically brought dead to the hospital. Even so, as per protocol, CPR and all necessary emergency treatment were given for a long time before he was declared dead."
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha confirmed a preliminary post-mortem established death by hanging. The investigation remains ongoing. Dhankar’s body was flown to New Delhi on Tuesday with full state honours. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday morning in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. Acting DGP G.S. Rao announced an inquiry committee would examine the circumstances of the death. The Traffic SP, the IG of Law and Order, and the Commandant of the TSR Second Battalion are escorting the remains.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury rejected calls for a CBI investigation, labelling the agency a political tool. Instead, he demanded a probe led by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court. Chowdhury claimed he spoke with Dhankar recently and found him deeply distressed. He argued that the officer’s death reflects an abnormal environment in the state, alleging that administrative and police officials face immense pressure. "We want to know what circumstances forced the state's top police officer to take such an extreme decision," Chowdhury said.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman supported the demand for an independent inquiry. Meanwhile, the BJP accused the opposition of politicizing the tragedy. The state has declared a day of mourning, with flags at half-mast and official functions suspended. Dhankar, a seasoned officer who served with the United Nations and the CBI, had recently received an 11-month service extension.
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