One of the most popular names in the capital city, Ranga Daroga a ka Ranga Mohan Roy, 94, breathed his last at Hapania TMC hospital Tuesday morning.
Roy, who effectively held the Agartala city, especially cinema hall locations of yesteryears under control with a lathi in hand, over the years became almost an iconic figure and an inseparable part of Agartala city and its policing. Honest , feared yet respected and popular Roy was known by all as Ranga Daroga. His area of jurisdiction was mostly the four cinema halls of the by-gone days where his ‘terrifying’ presence, or even just an information of his arrival was enough to send all the ‘otherwise formidable’ ticket blackers run for their life. And, the hitherto uncontrollable and extremely chaotic lines in front of the ticket counters crowded by youths and students desperate to watch the movies, especially on first day, would go instantly calm, silent and goody-boy like disciplined.
In fact, virtually there is no elderly person in Agartala or for that matter in the state who once went to Agartala cinema halls and did not face the fearing lanky police officer with a more fearsome lathi in hand. A famous dialogue—‘Aiye re Rango Daroga, aiye’ of those days of ‘local mastans and dadas’ of Agartala – was common to be heard even if he was not around. The uttering was sufficient to make all around or in the cinema hall ticket counter line- male female alike- wear an absolutely innocent face.
Long ago he had retired from service but his legacy continued till date with legends as people remembered the police officer who was an inseparable part of their youth with respect and high esteem. Many of them included senior police officers who had once also faced him, feared him and later became his superior. Ranga daroga by all means was part of Agartala city life till early nineties with his ominous looking lathi and his terrific brand of dialogues in Noakhali accent and, also, many a story that he was part of or just inspired to be floated around. He remained a reference point even long after his retirement in many conversations and adda of the elderly citizens who encountered him in their youths.
In the later part of his life as a retired police officer he remained active in his personal and family life often joining social causes.
Such was his legacy that State government accorded highest of the state Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Award in 2021.
Ranga Daroga was admitted to Hapania TMC Hospital after suffering a massive heart attack on Monday afternoon and breathed his last at around 5.45 am on Monday.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha rushed to pay tribute to Ranga Mohan Roy on Tuesday morning. In his social media page Dr Saha wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Ranga Mohan Roy (known as Ranga Daroga in Tripura), the father of Dr. Sushanta Roy, convener of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Doctor’s Cell. I pay homage to him by wishing him peace of soul and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family”.
(Courtesy Tripura Times)
