The Tripura Chakma Students Association on Sunday sought urgent intervention from the central government over what it described as repeated attacks on students and youth from the Northeast in different parts of the country, following the death of Anjel Chakma in Dehradun.
The demand was raised in Agartala, where the organisation highlighted the case of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student who died after being brutally assaulted in Uttarakhand. The association said the incident reflected a growing pattern of racial abuse, harassment and violence against people from the Northeast outside the region.
Leaders of the association expressed grave concern over the safety of students studying elsewhere in the country and called for strict legal measures to address hate crimes and racially derogatory remarks. They warned that such “unwarranted incidents” could have serious social consequences if left unaddressed.
Following the killing, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha spoke to his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Singh Dhami. Dr. Saha later said he had received assurances of a thorough investigation and justice for the victim. He is expected to visit the bereaved family near Agartala on Monday.
Senior officials of the Tripura Police are also in contact with the Uttarakhand Police regarding the case, which triggered protests across Tripura. Six people are reportedly wanted in connection with the murder, and five have been arrested so far.
The Chakma Students Association announced that it would hold a candlelight march in Agartala on Monday in memory of Anjel Chakma. The organisation also plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, seeking stringent punishment for the accused and compensation for the victim’s family from both the Tripura and Uttarakhand governments.
Condemning the killing, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, founder of Tipra Motha, said his party would continue to press for justice. “It is tragic that people from the Northeast are repeatedly targeted and called Chinese. This cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.
Anjel Chakma, a final-year student at Jigyasa University in Dehradun, succumbed to his injuries on December 26 after remaining on life support for more than two weeks. His last rites were performed in Agartala on December 27 amid an outpouring of grief.
According to the police, Anjel and his younger brother Michael, who studies at Uttaranchal University, had been living in Dehradun for over a year. On the evening of December 9, the brothers were shopping for groceries in the Selaqui area when they were allegedly harassed by a group of intoxicated men.
Michael told the police that the attackers hurled racial slurs such as “Chinki”, “Chinese”, “Nepali” and “momos” at them and mocked their appearance. When Anjel objected to the abuse, saying, “We are Indians. What certificate do we need to prove our identity?”, the situation escalated.
The assailants, allegedly attacked both brothers. Michael was struck on the head with a metal bracelet, while Anjel suffered severe stab injuries to his neck, spine and abdomen. The brothers were rushed to Graphic Era Hospital in Dehradun, where Anjel remained unconscious and on a ventilator until his death.
Following his death, the police upgraded the case to murder under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Five accused, Avinash Negi, Shaurya Rajput, Suraj Khawas, Ayush Badoni and Sumit, have been arrested, including two minors. The main accused, Yagya Awasthi, remains absconding, with police suspecting he may have fled to Nepal. A reward of ₹25,000 has been announced for information leading to his arrest.
