Tripura bid a heartfelt farewell to DGP Anurag Dhankar as Governor, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, ministers, senior officials, and police personnel paid final tributes. The state mourns the loss of a dedicated IPS officer remembered for integrity, leadership, and distinguished public service.
Tripura on Tuesday bid an emotional farewell to Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar, whose sudden demise has left the state administration, police fraternity, and citizens in deep mourning. Senior constitutional authorities, political leaders, top bureaucrats, and police personnel gathered at the State Secretariat in Agartala to pay their final respects to the 1994-batch IPS officer, who was widely regarded as one of the state’s most respected police leaders.
The mortal remains of Anurag Dhankar were first brought from his official residence to the Tripura Police Headquarters, where officers and personnel of the President’s Colour-awarded Tripura Police paid their final respects with full ceremonial honours. A solemn Guard of Honour was accorded to the state’s highest-ranking police officer before the body was taken to the State Secretariat (Mahakaran), where leaders across party lines gathered to offer floral tributes.
Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, members of the Council of Ministers, senior government officials, and top police officers paid homage to the late DGP. The atmosphere at the Secretariat remained solemn as colleagues, public representatives, and officials remembered Dhankar’s unwavering dedication to law enforcement and public service.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha expressed profound grief over the passing of the senior IPS officer. Paying his last respects, the Chief Minister stated that Anurag Dhankar’s dedication to maintaining public safety and law and order, along with his professionalism and sense of duty, would always be remembered. He described the officer’s untimely demise as a great loss for Tripura, saying the state had lost a highly efficient and committed police leader. Dr. Saha also prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Public Works Minister Ratan Lal Nath also paid floral tribute to the late DGP at the Secretariat. Expressing deep sorrow, he said Tripura had lost an honest, capable, disciplined, and public-oriented police officer whose commitment to duty earned him widespread respect. The minister prayed for peace for the departed soul and extended sympathies to the grieving family.
Minister Sushanta Chowdhury also offered his final respects and described Anurag Dhankar as a sincere, dedicated, and fearless police officer who devoted his life to public service. He said the officer’s honesty, courageous leadership, professional excellence, and relentless efforts to ensure public safety would remain an inspiration for future generations of police personnel. He offered prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Following the state honours at the Secretariat, the mortal remains were flown to New Delhi and will subsequently be taken to his native residence in Uttar Pradesh, where the last rites are scheduled to be performed. Dhankar’s elder brother, Vivek Dhankar, arrived in Agartala to receive the body, while his son, who resides in Canada, is expected to join the family in Delhi. Senior Tripura Police officers accompanied Dhankar’s wife to assist with the transportation and funeral arrangements.
Anurag Dhankar was serving as the Director General of the President’s Colour-awarded Tripura Police, an honour that reflects the force’s distinguished service to the nation. Having spent a significant part of his career in the Tripura cadre, he rose steadily through the ranks from Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) to the state’s highest police post. He earned widespread admiration for his integrity, administrative competence, calm demeanour, and commitment to professional policing.
Beyond Tripura, Dhankar served with distinction in several prestigious national and international assignments. His career included service with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), leadership of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, heading the Special Investigation Team probing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and supervising the investigation into the Punjab National Bank fraud linked to fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi.
He assumed charge as Tripura’s Director General of Police in May 2025. Although he was due to retire in June 2026, the state government granted him an 11-month extension in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines, reflecting the confidence reposed in his leadership and administrative abilities.
Dhankar’s sudden death has shocked the state and sparked widespread discussion. Authorities have not announced any official conclusions regarding the circumstances surrounding his death, and investigations are continuing. Officials have urged against speculation until forensic examinations and other investigative processes are completed.
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As Tripura mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished police officers, tributes continue to pour in from across the country. Colleagues, public representatives, and citizens alike remember Anurag Dhankar as a disciplined, compassionate, and dedicated officer whose contributions to policing and public service will remain a lasting legacy.
