Assam shocked by tragedy as top cop dies by suicide after wife’s cancer battle

In an extremely distressing turn of events, Shiladitya Chetia, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving as Secretary of Home and Political Department of the Assam government, committed suicide on Tuesday soon after his wife Agamonee Barbaruah succumbed to cancer. According to state police officials and hospital authorities, Chetia, 44, who belonged to the IPS 2009 batch, was on leave for four months to take care of his ailing wife while she was undergoing treatment at the Nemcare Hospital, Guwahati. Just minutes after doctors declared Barbaruah dead following her long battle with the disease, the distraught officer shot himself with his service weapon. “It is an unfortunate and tragic incident that has left us numb. Shiladitya Chetia was a brilliant officer with a promising career,” said Assam DGP GP Singh, expressing grief over the death of the couple. “The entire police family is devastated. »

Although cancer treatment has made enormous advances, the disease remains a leading cause of death and immense suffering worldwide. Beyond just the physical effects, it devastates families and caregivers psychologically and emotionally as they grapple with intense stress, grief and trauma.

This shocking episode comes during Men’s Mental Health Month and highlights the enormous emotional toll cancer inflicts on patients and their loved ones. In such extreme situations, access to mental health support and advice is absolutely vital, for both patients and their carers. Warning signs of psychological distress such as severe depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts should be taken extremely seriously and addressed immediately.

As Assam and the nation mourn this tragic loss, we must recognize that much more needs to be done to improve cancer treatment, but, just as importantly, to prioritize mental health care and eliminate stigma surrounding psychological struggles. Greater awareness, expanded support services and continued research could save many lives.