Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, senior BJP leaders, ministers, and opposition leaders have expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar. While tributes poured in from across the political spectrum on Monday, the Congress and CPI(M) separately demanded a judicial inquiry to uncover the circumstances surrounding the senior IPS officer’s death.
Key Takeaways
- Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and senior leaders paid heartfelt tributes to DGP Anurag Dhankar.
- Ministers described Dhankar as an honest, dedicated and professional police officer committed to public service.
- Congress and CPI(M) separately demanded a judicial inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
Agartala: Condolence messages poured in from political leaders across party lines following the tragic death of Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar on Monday. While ruling BJP leaders remembered him as a dedicated and upright police officer, the opposition Congress and CPI(M) called for a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Dhankar, a senior IPS officer, was found hanging inside the washroom of his official chamber at the Police Headquarters in Agartala on Monday. He was immediately shifted to AGMC and GBP Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha Expresses Deep Shock
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident.
In a social media post, the Chief Minister said he rushed to the Police Headquarters immediately after receiving the information. He was accompanied by the Chief Secretary and the Home Secretary before Dhankar was shifted to the hospital.
Dr. Saha said the attending doctors at AGMC and GBP Hospital declared the senior police officer brought dead after examination.
Expressing condolences, the Chief Minister conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. He prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength for the family to overcome the irreparable loss.
Biplab Kumar Deb Remembers Dhankar’s Dedication
Former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb described Dhankar’s demise as an irreparable loss for Tripura.
In his condolence message, Deb recalled working closely with the late DGP and said he had witnessed Dhankar’s dedication, honesty and unwavering commitment towards the people of Tripura.
He said Dhankar’s contribution to the state’s administrative system would be remembered with respect for many years.
Deb also expressed heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and prayed for peace for the departed soul.
Ministers Pay Tribute to Senior Police Officer
State Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath described Dhankar as a dedicated and exemplary police officer who served Tripura with integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment.
He said the DGP’s untimely death was a major loss for the state and concluded his message with prayers for the departed soul.
State Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury also expressed profound grief over the death of the state’s police chief.
He described Dhankar as a committed and dutiful officer who devoted his life to ensuring the safety and security of the people of Tripura.
The minister recalled Dhankar’s active support for several road safety initiatives. According to Chowdhury, the DGP consistently extended cooperation to the Transport Department’s campaigns against road accidents and regularly offered valuable suggestions to strengthen road safety measures across the state.
Calling the loss irreplaceable, the minister prayed for strength for the bereaved family and said the people of Tripura would always remember Dhankar’s courage, dedication and selfless service.
Opposition Demands Judicial Probe
Even as condolences continued to pour in, opposition parties demanded an independent judicial investigation into the death.
Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman said only a judicial inquiry monitored by a sitting judge of the Tripura High Court could reveal the actual circumstances and reasons behind the death of the state’s senior-most IPS officer.
The CPI(M) also raised a similar demand.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Choudhury, who also serves as the CPI(M) Tripura state secretary, called for a judicial inquiry under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court.
The Left leaders maintained that such an inquiry would ensure transparency and inspire public confidence in the investigation.
Senior Left Leaders Visit Hospital
Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Choudhury and former minister as well as Tripura Left Front Convener Manik Dey visited AGMC and GBP Hospital after the incident.
The leaders met members of Dhankar’s family and conveyed their condolences.
Speaking to the media, both Manik Sarkar and Jitendra Choudhury described Dhankar as a sincere, honest and efficient police officer. They said he had handled Tripura’s law and order situation with professionalism after assuming charge as the state’s Director General of Police.
State Mourns Senior IPS Officer
The death of Anurag Dhankar has triggered widespread grief across Tripura’s political and administrative circles. Leaders from both the ruling BJP and the opposition acknowledged his contribution to maintaining law and order and his commitment to public service.
As tributes continue to pour in, the demand for a judicial inquiry has added a new dimension to the unfolding developments. The outcome of the ongoing investigation and the government’s response to the opposition’s demand are likely to remain under close public scrutiny in the coming days.
