In a shocking incident, Shiladitya Chetia, the Home Secretary of Assam and a senior Indian Police Service(IPS) officer died by suicide on Tuesday evening, just minutes after his wife succumbed to cancer at a private hospital in Guwahati. The tragic event has sent shockwaves across the state, with the entire Assam Police family expressing deep grief over the loss.
Chetia, a 2009-match IPS officer, was serving as the Secretary in the State’s Home and Political Department. He had been on leave for four months to deal with his wife’s illness, which had reached its fourth stage. His wife, Agamoni Barbaruah, 40, had been battling cancer for a long time and was admitted to the hospital the last few months.
According to reports, Chetia’s wife passed away at 4:25 PM at Nemcare Hospital. Barely 10 minutes later, Chetia walked into the ICU cabin, requesting the medical staff to allow him some privacy to pray beside his wife’s body. It was then that he shot himself in the head with his service revolver.
The hospital staff rushed in to find Chetia lying beside his wife’s body, and despite their efforts, he was declared dead on arrival at another hospital.
The incident has raised concerns about the mental health of police officers, who often face immense pressure and stress while dealing with traumatic situations. Chetia’s case highlights the devastating impact that personnel tragedies can have on even the strongest individuals.
Chetia had a distinguished career in the Assam Police, having served as the Superintendent of Police in several districts, including Tinsukia and Sonitpur. He was also the commandant of the 4th Battalion of the Assam Police. His bravery and dedication to his work earned him the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry in 2015.
The Assam Police Chief, GP Singh, expressed profound sorrow over Chetia’s tragic passing, stating that the entire Assam police family was in deep grief. Singh’s statement highlighted the officer’s dedication to his work and his struggles, saying, “In an unfortunate turn of events, Sri Shiladitya Chetia IPS 2009 RR, Secretary Home & Political Government of Assam, 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.”
Chetia’s death has sent shockwaves across the state, with many expressing their condolences to the family. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health support and the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the emotional toll that traumatic events can take on individuals.
The Assam Government, through the National Mental Health Programme, has been working to sensitize police officers on mental health issues. Some point-
- Sensitization of police and medical officers on the Mental Health Act, regarding the rescue and treatment of homeless or guardian-less mentally ill persons.
- Community awareness campaigns to support and eradicate the stigma around mental health.
- Networking with NGOs working on mental health to strengthen community-based rehabilitation.
Additionally, the Assam Police and Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) have launched 6 dedicated helpline numbers for police personnel to access mental health care and support.
The Assam Health Department has also launched a general mental health helpline called “Monon” for the public, including police personnel, to cope with issues like anxiety and depression.
The government is also working to strengthen the overall mental health infrastructure in the state, including upgrading mental health centers in 8 districts, training medical officers and paramedics, and establishing centers of excellence at the Gauhati Medical College and the LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health.
So in Summary, the Assam government is taking a multi-pronged approach to address mental health challenges faced by the police force, including sensitization, helplines, and strengthening the overall mental health system in the state.