Assam IPS officer, 44, dies by suicide after ailing wife’s death

Assam DGP GP SIngh said the IPS officer died by suicide few minutes after the doctor declared the death of his wife who was battling cancer for a long time

Published on: Jun 18, 2024, 22:03:22 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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GUWAHATI: A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in Assam died by suicide inside a private hospital minutes after being told about his ailing wife’s death, people familiar with the matter said.

Shiladitya Chetia, the 2009 batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was posted as secretary of the Assam home and political departments.

Assam director general of police GP Singh announced his colleague’s death on X.

“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. The entire Assam Police family is in deep grief,” Singh said in a post on X.

A police officer said the officer used his service weapon in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital around 4:30 pm.

Chetia was earlier posted as police superintendent of Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts. He also served as commandant of the 4th battalion of Assam Police and DIG (administration) of Assam Police before being posted as the home and political secretary, a portfolio headed by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The officer added that Chetia’s wife was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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