Agartala, July 20 (IANS) The Tripura government on Monday declared a one-day state mourning on Tuesday as a mark of respect for Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag, whose body was found under mysterious circumstances in the bathroom attached to his official chamber at the state Police Headquarters earlier in the day, officials said.

The senior IPS officer was rushed to the Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Head of the Department of Medicine at the Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Pradip Bhowmik, said Anurag was brought to the hospital without any signs of life and was declared dead after doctors examined all his vital parameters. He added that the body has been sent for post-mortem examination and the exact cause of death can only be confirmed after the report is received.

An official statement said the Tripura Council of Ministers on Monday expressed profound grief over the untimely demise of DGP Anurag and observed a two-minute silence in his memory during the Cabinet meeting.

As a mark of respect, the state government has declared a one-day state mourning on Tuesday (July 21), the statement said, adding that the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings where it is regularly hoisted and no official entertainment programmes will be held throughout the day.

Paying tributes to the late police chief, the Cabinet praised Anurag’s distinguished career in public service. A 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Tripura cadre, he began serving in the state in 1995 and held several key positions, from Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) to Director General of Police, earning recognition for his dedication, integrity and professionalism.

The Cabinet also acknowledged his notable contributions at the national and international levels, including his service with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and important assignments with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). He was honoured with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

Describing his death as an irreparable loss, the Cabinet said Tripura has lost a dedicated, honest and visionary police officer whose leadership, integrity and commitment to public service would be remembered for years to come. The Cabinet extended its condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of his soul.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, accompanied by Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha and Home Secretary Abhishek Singh, immediately visited the Police Headquarters after the incident and held discussions with senior police officials.

Taking to X, the Chief Minister said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic demise of Anurag, IPS, Director General of Police, Tripura, who was found hanging in the washroom of his official chamber. He said that upon receiving the information, he, along with the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, immediately visited the Police Headquarters. Anurag was promptly shifted to AGMC & GBP Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The Chief Minister extended his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Five senior ministers, led by Agriculture and Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, also visited the hospital and met Anurag’s wife to convey their condolences. While refraining from commenting on the circumstances surrounding his death, they expressed grief and described him as an upright, honest and highly efficient police officer who served the state with distinction.

–IANS

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