The death of 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, an MBA student from Tripura who succumbed to injuries 17 days after a brutal assault, has sparked a national debate over the safety of Northeast Indians. While family members and student leaders allege the attack was fueled by racism, local police have characterized the incident as a tragic misunderstanding among strangers.
Police Cite “Jest” and Misunderstanding
Ajay Singh, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Dehradun, told reporters that the altercation on December 9 was not a hate crime. According to the police, the clash began when a group of people, which included another individual from the Northeast—were exchanging derogatory remarks “in jest.”
The official stated that Anjel and his brother, Michel, mistakenly believed the slurs were directed at them. “The fight broke out between strangers, and one of the suspects from the Northeast admitted during questioning that the comments were internal to their group and not aimed at the victims,” SSP Singh noted, adding that the presence of a Northeast native among the alleged provocateurs negates a racial motive.
Conflicting Accounts of the Altercation
The official police stance stands in stark contrast to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the victim’s brother. Michel Chakma alleged that while they were shopping in a local market, a group of intoxicated men began hurling caste-based and racial slurs. When the brothers stood their ground, they were reportedly attacked with knives and iron rods.
Anjel was stabbed in the neck and abdomen, while Michel sustained head injuries.
Rishikesh Baruah, a leader of the North East Students Association in Dehradun, offered further context, claiming the confrontation escalated when the suspects mocked the brothers’ Hindi and questioned their nationality. “They were told, ‘You aren’t from India, show us you can speak Hindi,’” Baruah said. He emphasized that such experiences are common for students from the region due to a “lack of education” regarding India’s diversity.
National Outcry and Political Response
The incident has resonated across the highest levels of government. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia described the murder as a “profound blow to humanity,” while Congress MP Shashi Tharoor labeled it a “national disgrace,” noting that the victim was dehumanized with slurs like “Chinese” and “momo.” Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along have both called for a specific national law to combat hate crimes and racism.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has personally assured Anjel’s father, a BSF Jawan that the perpetrators will face the strictest possible punishment. The CM confirmed he has briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Minister of Tripura on the status of the investigation.
Status of the Investigation
Anjel Chakma passed away on December 26 after a nearly three-week battle for his life. Authorities have currently arrested five individuals in connection with the murder. A sixth suspect, identified as a Nepali national, reportedly fled across the border following the incident.