Tripura student dies after racially motivated stabbing in Dehradun; five arrested

A 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Dehradun after battling for life for more than two weeks following a violent assault allegedly triggered by racial slurs. The deceased, Anjel (also referred to as Angel) Chakma, was a final-year MBA student at Jigyasa University.

According to police and the First Information Report (FIR), the incident took place on the evening of December 9 in the Selaqui (Selakui) area of Dehradun. Anjel Chakma and his younger brother, Michael Chakma, had gone out to buy groceries when they were allegedly harassed by a group of intoxicated youths.

Michael Chakma stated that the group used racial and caste-based slurs, allegedly calling them “Nepali,” “Chinese,” “Chinki,” “momos,” and other local abuses targeting their appearance. When Anjel objected to the remarks, the situation escalated into violence.

As per the FIR lodged on December 12, Michael was struck on the head with a metal bangle, while Anjel was attacked with a knife and a rod. Anjel sustained multiple stab injuries, including deep wounds to the head and neck. He was admitted to a hospital in Dehradun, where he remained under treatment for nearly 16 days before succumbing to his injuries on Thursday.

Police have arrested five accused in connection with the case. They have been identified as Avinash Negi, Shaurya Rajput, Suraj Khawas, Ayush Badoni and Sumit. One more accused, reportedly a Nepal national, is absconding and is believed to have crossed the border. Authorities said efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the remaining suspect, and the investigation is ongoing.

Officials confirmed that initially a case of assault was registered, and following Anjel Chakma’s death, murder charges are being added. Police sources said that among those arrested, four are residents of Uttarakhand, while one is from Manipur.

The deceased’s father, who is a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan currently posted in the Northeast, has taken his son’s body to their hometown in Tripura for the last rites.

The incident has once again brought attention to concerns over racial discrimination and the safety of students from the Northeast living in other parts of the country.

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