Investigation Reveals No Racial Motive in Tripura Student's Death: Dehradun Police

Dehradun Police Update on Anjel Chakma Case

Dehradun: The Dehradun Police announced on Tuesday that their investigation into the death of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura, has not uncovered any signs of racial abuse. The incident reportedly escalated after Anjel objected to some light-hearted teasing among a group of individuals at a liquor store.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh stated that the police are aware of social media claims suggesting a racial motive behind the incident. However, he emphasized that their findings so far do not support these allegations of racial discrimination or violence.

According to the SSP, there were no reports of racial abuse made to the police between December 9, the date of the incident, and December 26, when Anjel passed away. He noted that the First Information Report (FIR) filed does not include any claims of racial bias.

The incident took place in the Selaqui area during a birthday celebration hosted on December 9 by one of the accused, Suraj Khwas, who hails from Manipur. Singh explained that a confrontation arose between two groups, one of which included Anjel and his brother, leading to a physical altercation.

During the altercation, Anjel and his brother Michael were injured. Tragically, Anjel succumbed to his injuries after 17 days in the hospital, having suffered severe damage to his spine and neck.

The police have apprehended five of the six individuals named in the FIR. Two of them are minors and have been sent to a correctional facility, while three others are in judicial custody. The sixth suspect, Yagyraj Awasthi, a 22-year-old Nepalese national, remains at large, prompting authorities to issue a bounty of Rs 25,000 for information leading to his capture.

Singh confirmed that local witnesses have been interviewed and that digital evidence, including CCTV footage, has been gathered. He reiterated that no evidence has emerged indicating that any of the accused used racial slurs against Anjel.

The investigation is being conducted with transparency and fairness, and the police are committed to taking appropriate legal action.

Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student at a private university, was fatally injured in the attack involving knives and blunt objects. His father, a Border Security Force (BSF) officer stationed in Manipur, alleged that Anjel was brutally assaulted while defending his brother from racial insults, including being called 'Chinese' by the attackers.