Tripura student dies after racist attack in Dehradun as hunt on for main accused

Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Nandannagar in West Tripura district, died on December 26 after sustaining grievous injuries in an attack in Dehradun on December 9, allegedly triggered by racial slurs hurled at him and his younger brother.

According to Uttarakhand Police, Chakma and his brother Michael had an argument with Suraj Khawas, a resident of Manipur currently living in Dehradun, and his five associates at Selakui market. The accused allegedly assaulted Chakma with knives and brass knuckles. He later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Police said five of the six accused have been apprehended, including two juveniles, while the main accused, Yagyaraj Awasthi , a resident of Nepal’s Kanchanpur district, is absconding. A police team has been sent to Nepal and a reward of ₹25,000 has been announced for information leading to his arrest.

Chakma’s father, Tarun Chakma , who is posted with the Border Security Force in Manipur, alleged that the attackers hurled racial slurs at his sons, calling them “Chinese” and “Chinese momo.” He said Anjel tried to explain that he was Indian, but was attacked with sharp and blunt weapons. Police, however, have denied that the incident involved racial abuse.

As political reactions poured in, Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal described the killing as a shocking display of hate crime and bigotry, urging Union Home Minister Amit Shah to speak out against such incidents.

Rahul Gandhi termed the killing a “horrific hate crime” and accused the BJP of normalising hatred, saying intolerance is being systematically fed, especially to the youth. He expressed condolences to the Chakma family and people of Tripura and the Northeast. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also condemned the incident, calling it a result of divisive hatred, and urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the case.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to Anjel Chakma’s father on Monday, assuring strict action against the accused and all possible assistance to the family. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said he had spoken to Dhami, who assured that those responsible would be dealt with firmly.

Meanwhile, Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma announced a ₹10 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the absconding accused. The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) announced ₹3 lakh compensation to Chakma’s family to assist with final rites.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said he has spoken to his Uttarakhand counterpart, who assured strict action against those responsible. Investigations are ongoing.