Assam: IPS Shoots Himself after Wife Dies of Cancer
In a saddening turn of events, Assam’s home secretary IPS Shiladitya Chetia died by suicide just 10 minutes after his beloved wife passed away because of brain cancer in Guwahati, Assam.
In a saddening turn of events, the serving Secretary of Assam’s Home and Political department, 44-year-old Shiladitya Chetia, died by suicide on 18th June 2024 in Guwahati. The story behind his death is heartbreaking.
Shiladitya Chetia was a 2009-batch officer from the Indian Police Service (IPS). He had served as Superintendent of Police in Golaghat, Barpeta, Tinsukia, and Sonitpur districts. During his service, he led multiple operations against criminal and terror organizations before becoming Assam’s Home and Political Secretary. He was also the recipient of the President’s Gallantry (bravery) Medal.
Chetia married Agamonee Barbaruah on 12th May 2013. Agamonee, a topper, studied English and foreign languages at Tezpur University and became an author in 2022 with her book of short stories titled "Her Him and Them - Inner Tales.” The couple was happily married and didn’t have any children.
Everything changed for the couple when Agamonee was diagnosed with the fourth stage of terminal brain cancer around four months ago. Agamonee started undergoing treatment at the Nemcare Super Specialty Hospital’s ICU in Guwahati, and Chetia took leave from work to take care of his wife. However, the cancer had advanced, spread, and become more aggressive. The hospital’s doctors regularly updated Chetia about his wife’s condition and treatment course.
On 15th June 2024, Agamonee's condition deteriorated further. The doctors informed Chetia, and he seemed to understand. On 18th June 2024, Agamonee passed away at around 4:24 pm in the hospital. The hospital informed Chetia, who immediately rushed to Agamonee’s ICU room. He asked the attending doctor and nurses to step outside for a moment and leave him with his wife’s body as he wanted to pray for her. After the doctors left, Chetia took out his service pistol and shot himself in the back of his head. The doctors heard the loud noise and ran back inside the room. They found Chetia lying in a pool of his own blood near Agamonee’s bed. The doctors tried to save him, but Chetia died in just a few minutes at around 4:32 pm.
The Assam Police Department was immediately informed, and several senior police officers rushed to the hospital. One of the police officials told media reporters, "Shiladitya Chetia was mentally down due to his wife's ill health for the last few days."
Former Assam Police DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta said that Chetia was like a younger brother to him and revealed that his life was full of problems which he braved through. Mahanta told reporters that Chetia had recently lost his mother and mother-in-law, and then his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He also mentioned that Chetia used to take Agamonee to Chennai for treatment. Mahanta was in touch with Chetia and said there was no indication that he would take this step.
The Director General of Assam Police, G P Singh, also offered his condolences and said that the entire Assam Police force is in deep grief. Chetia’s body has been sent for postmortem.
This tragic incident highlights the emotional and mental struggles faced by individuals dealing with personal and family health crises. May Shiladitya Chetia and his wife, Agamonee, rest in peace.
