Tripura Student’s Death in Uttarakhand Sparks Racism Allegations; Police Say No Evidence So Far

A controversy has emerged over the death of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura’s Unakoti district, who died in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on December 26 following injuries sustained in an attack on December 9. While Chakma’s family alleges a racist attack, Dehradun Police have said there is currently no evidence of racial abuse.

Police account of the incident

According to senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ajay Singh, the attack occurred after an argument over some “banter” at a liquor shop and a birthday party in the Selaqui area. The police said that the confrontation involved two groups: Anjel and his brother Michael on one side, and six other youths on the other.

“There was some banter among the guests. The victim’s side found certain remarks offensive, which led to a dispute. In the fight that followed, Anjel Chakma and his brother were injured. Anjel later died during treatment at a hospital,” Singh said, adding that the fatal injuries involved his spine and neck.

The SSP also noted that between the day of the incident and Anjel’s death, no complaints of racial abuse were reported to the police, and the FIR filed does not mention any allegations of racial bias.

Arrests and investigation

Of the six accused, five have been taken into custody. Two were found to be underage and sent to a correctional home, while three are in judicial custody. One accused, 22-year-old Yagyraj Awasthi, a Nepalese national, remains absconding. Authorities have issued a non-bailable warrant and announced a ₹25,000 bounty to trace him.

Police have also collected statements from local residents and reviewed digital evidence, including CCTV footage. “So far, no instance of any accused using racial slurs against the deceased has come to light,” SSP Singh said, assuring that the investigation is being conducted fairly and transparently.

Family alleges racial attack

Anjel, a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, was reportedly attacked with a knife and blunt objects while defending his brother, who his father said faced racial slurs and was called “Chinese” by the assailants. His father, a BSF jawan posted in Manipur, said Anjel told the attackers, “I am also Indian, not Chinese,” before being attacked.

Anjel’s uncle echoed these claims, calling the death “indeed a case of racism,” contrary to the police position. “When Michael (Anjel’s brother) told them not to say such things, they attacked him. Then Anjel went to protect him, and they started beating and stabbing him… Uttarakhand Police has said this is not a case of racism, but it is indeed a case of racism,” he told ANI.