DEHARDUN: A 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura died in a Dehradun hospital on Friday after battling for his life for more than two weeks following a stabbing that was allegedly triggered by racial abuse.
Anjel Chakma was attacked on 9 December in the Selaqui area of Dehradun while he was out buying groceries with his younger brother. Friends said he never fully regained consciousness during his 14 days in hospital.
How the incident unfolded
- According to the police complaint filed by his brother, Michael Chakma, 21, the two were stopped by a group of six men who allegedly hurled racial slurs at them, calling them “Chinki”, “Chinese” and “Momo”.
- One of the men allegedly sneered, “Oye Chinese, have you come to buy pork?”
- The 24-year-old youth had allegedly received blows to his head and back with a sharp object and a 'kadaa' (bracelet) following a quarrel with 5-6 people at the canteen, according to news agency PTI.
- Michael later told police that his brother responded calmly but firmly, saying, “We are not Chinese… We are Indians. What certificate should we show to prove that?”
- Police say the exchange quickly escalated. When Michael objected to the slurs, he was allegedly hit on the head with a bracelet.
- As the assault continued, Anjel stepped in to protect his younger brother.
- During the attack, police say Anjel was stabbed on the head and back by the main accused, Yagya Awasthi. He collapsed at the scene, while the attackers fled.
- Michael rushed him to a nearby hospital.
- Senior sub-inspector Jitendra Kumar of Selaqui police station said doctors later informed investigators that the knife had damaged Anjel Chakma’s spinal cord.
- He remained in critical condition and never regained full consciousness.
A case was registered on 12 December based on Michael Chakma’s complaint under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections related to voluntarily causing hurt, use of dangerous weapons and criminal intimidation.
On 14 December, after doctors recorded the seriousness of his injuries, police added charges of attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy.
The Arrests
Five of the six accused, including two juveniles, were arrested on 14 December. The main accused, Yagya Awasthi, is absconding.
Police said Awasthi is suspected to have fled to Nepal. “Two police teams have been dispatched to track him down and nab him, and a reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced,” said senior sub-inspector Kumar.
After Anjel Chakma died on Friday, police upgraded the case again, adding sections for murder and committing a crime with common intention.
The accused have been identified as Avinash Negi, 25; Suraj Khwas, 21; Sumit Kumar, 25; Shaurya, 18; Ayush Badoni, 18; and Yagya Awasthi. All are residents of Selaqui. Police said the group had gathered in the area to celebrate the first birthday of Khwas’s son.
Anger In Tripura
As news of Chakma’s death spread, anger erupted in Tripura. His body was flown to Agartala on Saturday.
Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, founder and chairman of the Tipra Motha Party, assisted the family and supported Chakma’s medical treatment.
Speaking to TOI, he said, “It’s tragic that the patriotic people of the North East are called Chinese and attacked. Those who hurl racist slurs forget that it is because of the brave people of the North East that China cannot enter the country.”
In a Facebook post, Debbarma added: “While the whole world was celebrating Christmas, we lost Angel Chakma in the hourly hours. My deepest condolences to all his friends and family members... we demand justice for him.”
Uttarakhand police said they have activated a dedicated Northeast cell across districts to ensure the safety of people from north-eastern states living in the state.
Anjel Chakma’s death has since become a rallying point in Tripura, where calls for justice continue to grow.
Nothing new: Sajra Debbarma
President of the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation, Sajra Debbarma condemned the killing.
Speaking to ANI, Sajra Debbarma said, "What's happening to the Northeast is nothing new. When we go outside Northeast we are taunted. The death of Angel Chakma today--this isn't just Angel Chakma's death; this is the death of all the people of the Northeast. Even before in Karnataka, Kerala, Delhi, Northeast people are being humiliated. I want to tell the Central Government directly: if you cannot give respect, dignity, and love to the people of the Northeast, then give us a separate country; we will take care of ourselves. This is a very serious matter. When people come to the Northeast from other parts of the country, we respect them. We don't insult them because it is not our culture."
He urged the Central government to look into the issue and said that this has been going on for a long time.
"On behalf of my student federation and all the other student federations of the Northeast, we all together protest against this, and those responsible should be punished as soon as possible, and no one should be spared. I make this request to the Government of India," he further said.
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