A 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, Anjel Chakma, died on Friday in a Dehradun hospital after more than two weeks of treatment following a violent attack. The incident occurred on December 9 in Selaqui, when Anjel and his younger brother Michael went out to buy groceries and were confronted by a group of intoxicated men who hurled racial slurs at them, calling them “Nepali,” “Chinese,” “Chinki,” and “momos.”
According to Michael, the brothers calmly protested against the abuse, with Anjel reportedly saying, “We are not Chinese. We are Indians. What certificate should we show to prove that?” Witnesses said the situation quickly turned violent, with the attackers striking Michael on the head with a kada while stabbing Anjel in the neck and stomach. Anjel was rushed to the ICU at a private hospital in Dehradun, where he succumbed to his injuries early Friday morning. Michael remains in serious condition.
Local students and friends described the attack as shocking. “He was calm and friendly. None of us can believe this happened,” a close friend said. Anjel’s body was flown to Agartala on Saturday, and his death has sparked widespread anger and grief across Tripura and other northeastern states. Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, chairman of the Tipra Motha Party, assisted the family with medical support and funeral arrangements, saying, “These attacks divide us. We want justice.”
Police said a case was registered on December 12 based on Michael’s complaint. Five of the six accused, including two juveniles, were arrested on December 14. The main accused, Yagya Awasthi, is believed to have fled to Nepal, with a reward of Rs 25,000 announced for information leading to his arrest. Following Anjel’s death, police upgraded the charges to murder. SP Rural Pankaj Gairola said, “With his death, the case has now been converted to murder. Five accused are in custody, and efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused.”
The attack has also prompted student groups from the northeast and Dehradun to protest, demanding stronger protection against racial violence and a national law addressing hate crimes. Tipra Motha Party chief Debbarman expressed deep grief and called for justice, saying, “While the whole world was celebrating Christmas, we lost Anjel Chakma in the early hours. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. We demand justice for the departed soul.”
