Assam Home and Political Secretary Shiladitya Chetia, a 44-year-old IPS officer decorated with the President's Police Medal for Gallantry, took his own life on Tuesday, moments after his wife succumbed to cancer.
The incident occurred in the ICU of Nemcare Hospital in Guwahati, where Chetia's wife, Agamoni Borbaruah, had been receiving treatment for two months.
Chetia's wife, aged 40, passed away at 4.25pm.
Shortly thereafter, Chetia entered the ICU cabin, requesting privacy to pray beside his wife's body.
Minutes later, a gunshot echoed through the ward.
The hospital staff rushed in to find Chetia lying lifeless next to his wife's body, having shot himself in the head with his service weapon. Efforts to revive him were futile.
Nemcare's Managing Director, Hitesh Baruah, confirmed the sequence of events. "We tried to save him but couldn't. He had shot himself," Baruah said.
He added that Agamoni's condition had worsened significantly over the past three days, a development which had been communicated to Chetia.
The couple, who had an arranged marriage on May 12, 2013, did not have any children. Agamoni, an accomplished scholar, had studied English and foreign languages at Tezpur University, where she was a topper.
The tragic incident has left the Assam Police and the wider community in deep shock. Former Assam Police DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, now the state's Chief Information Commissioner, expressed his grief.
"He was like a younger brother to me," Mahanta said. "His life was full of problems... He lost his mother and mother-in-law not long ago. He was taking care of his wife, and was in Chennai for her treatment. I was in touch with him and there was no indication that he would take this step."
DGP G P Singh announced Chetia's death on social media. "In an unfortunate turn of events, Shiladitya Chetia, IPS 2009, secretary home and political, took his own life this evening, a few minutes after the attending physician declared the death of his wife who was battling cancer for a long time. Entire Assam Police family is in deep grief," Singh wrote.
Chetia's career was marked by distinguished service. Known for his daring and dedication, he served as Superintendent of Police in Tinsukia, Nalbari, Kokrajhar, and Barpeta districts.
His efforts in leading multiple operations against criminal and terror outfits earned him the President's Police Medal for Gallantry on Independence Day in 2015.
The couple's story, marked by their individual achievements and recent tragedies, has resonated deeply across Assam. Chetia's father was also a police officer, adding to the legacy of service in his family.
For those in distress, several helplines are available:
- KIRAN: 1800-599-0019
- Aasra: 9820466726
- Sneha India Foundation: 044-24640050
- Sanjivini: 011-24311918
- Roshni Foundation (Secunderabad): 040-66202001, 040-66202000
- One Life: 7893078930
- Seva: 09441778290
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