In the wake of the tragic death of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, Assam Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has accused the Uttarakhand government of attempting to conceal facts related to the murder case. Chakma succumbed to his injuries on December 26, 2025, after being brutally attacked in Dehradun on December 9.
Gogoi, also a Member of Parliament, expressed his concerns regarding the investigation, alleging a deliberate delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR) and accusing the Uttarakhand administration of trying to "bury the matter". He criticized Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for supposedly using his interaction with Chakma's father, Tarun Prasad Chakma, as a "publicity stunt".
The Assam Congress President has voiced his support for students protesting peacefully, demanding justice for Chakma's family and strict punishment for anyone using derogatory remarks against any community. He stressed that racial misconduct against people from the Northeast region should be met with the strictest legal action.
The incident occurred on December 9 in the Selaqui area of Dehradun. According to reports, Anjel and his younger brother were allegedly subjected to racial slurs before the altercation escalated into a violent attack. Anjel was stabbed and suffered severe injuries to his neck and spine. He remained unconscious throughout his treatment.
While Dehradun Police have denied any racial motive in the murder, stating that the initial complaint did not mention racial slurs, Anjel's father, Tarun Prasad Chakma, who serves in the Border Security Force (BSF), has strongly contested this, asserting that the attack was preceded by racial abuse. He maintains that this aspect was communicated to the authorities from the beginning. Reportedly, the victim was taunted with slurs like “Chinese momo” before being stabbed and beaten.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh stated that the case was initially registered as attempted murder and later converted to murder after Anjel's death. He clarified that five individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, and raids are underway to apprehend the sixth accused. The SSP also mentioned that relevant sections of the SC/ST Act have been added to the case, even though the Chakma community is not officially listed as a Scheduled Tribe in Uttarakhand.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the matter, issuing a notice to the Dehradun district magistrate and the SSP, directing them to investigate the allegations of racial motivation and submit an action taken report within seven days. The NHRC has also instructed authorities to ensure the safety of students from the North Eastern region throughout the state.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with protests in Tripura, Northeast capitals, and Delhi. Political leaders from various parties have condemned the crime and demanded justice. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking recognition of racially motivated violence as a distinct constitutional wrong and urging the formulation of comprehensive guidelines to protect citizens from targeted abuse.
