DEHRADUN: The family of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old from Tripura who died after an assault in Dehradun, is disputing the police's claim that the incident wasn't racially motivated. Anjel Chakma, an MBA student, was attacked on December 9 in Dehradun and died on December 26 from his injuries.
According to police, Anjel and his brother, Michael Chakma, were shopping on December 9 when a group of intoxicated men began using caste-based and racial slurs against them. When the brothers objected, the situation escalated into a violent attack. Anjel sustained critical injuries to his neck and spine and remained unconscious until his death. Michael Chakma also sustained injuries.
Following Anjel's death, Uttarakhand police stated that their investigation has not revealed any evidence of racial abuse, suggesting the incident stemmed from an argument over offensive remarks. Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh said that the police had taken note of social media posts attributing a racial motive to the incident, but found no material to substantiate such claims at this stage. He clarified that Michael's complaint only mentioned "casteist slurs". He added that the family did not mention racial slurs to the police while they stayed in Dehradun until December 27. However, the police said they are open to including additional information in the probe.
The family is calling the police's statement "premature and deeply dismissive". Momen Chakma, Anjel's uncle, stated that the police are ignoring the account of Michael, the only eyewitness and complainant in the case. He questioned how anyone could film such an incident and said that the police are issuing statements without completing the investigation.
Anjel's father, Tarun Chakma, a BSF jawan, alleged that the police initially refused to register a report about the incident and only filed an FIR after pressure from the All India Chakma Students Union and senior officers. He stated that his sons were subjected to racial abuse during the incident and that the attackers called them "Chinese" and "Chinese momo" and questioned their nationality. He urged authorities to ensure equal treatment for people from the northeast.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the incident, including two minors. One of the accused, a Nepalese national, is absconding, and a reward of ₹25,000 has been announced for his capture. A police team has been sent to Nepal.
The incident has sparked outrage and protests, with political leaders across party lines criticizing the incident and calling for accountability. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed anger and sadness over the killing and urged people to unite against discriminatory mindsets. Opposition leaders have strongly criticized the incident and demanded accountability. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the killing a "national disgrace". Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assured the family of strict punishment for the accused. He also spoke with Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
