Questions Raised Over Silence of Tripura Civil Services Associations Following DGP Anurag Dhankar's Death Amid Growing Demand for Judicial Probe

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 24, 2026

The mysterious death of former Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar has continued to generate intense debate across the state, with questions now being raised over the response of the state's associations representing IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.

A section of serving and retired officials has questioned why the three associations have not issued a formal condolence message or publicly demanded a transparent investigation into the death of the senior IPS officer, despite the unprecedented nature of the incident. The criticism comes against the backdrop of increasing political pressure and public calls for an independent judicial inquiry.

The issue has drawn attention because the same three associations had earlier jointly condemned a remark made by Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, who had allegedly referred to the Superintendent of Police of South Tripura as an "idiot." At that time, the IAS, IPS, and IFS associations had swiftly released a joint statement protesting what they described as an unacceptable comment against a serving police officer.

However, critics now argue that the associations have remained silent following the death of the state's former police chief. According to those raising the issue, no joint statement expressing condolences to the bereaved family, no public tribute to the late DGP, and no appeal for an impartial investigation have been issued so far.

Some officers have also recalled an earlier incident involving IAS officer TK Chakma, who, while serving as the District Magistrate of Gomati district, was allegedly subjected to public humiliation by Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma. They claim that the three associations did not publicly react to that episode either, raising concerns about the consistency of their responses to issues involving members of the civil services.

Meanwhile, the Opposition CPIM and Congress has intensified its campaign demanding a judicial probe into the circumstances surrounding Dhankar's death.

Both the party recently organized demonstrations at Agartala city including outside the official residence of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, reiterating their demand for an inquiry headed by a sitting or retired High Court judge.

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