A 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, Anjel Chakma, succumbed to injuries on December 26 after a brutal assault stemming from racial slurs in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, sparking widespread outrage and calls for stronger anti-racism laws across the Northeast.
Anjel, a final-year student at Jigyasa University, and his younger brother Michael, enrolled at Uttaranchal University, had been living in Dehradun for over a year. On the evening of December 9, around 6-7 pm, the brothers were out shopping for groceries in the Selaqui area when a group of inebriated men began harassing them based on their appearance. According to Michael's account to the police, the assailants shouted derogatory terms like "Chinki," "Nepali," "Chinese," and "momos," along with taunts such as "Oye Chinese, have you come to buy pork?" The brothers protested the racial abuse, with Anjel firmly stating, "We are not Chinese; we are Indians. What certificate do we need to show to prove our identity?"
This response enraged the group, leading to a violent escalation. The attackers, reportedly six in number, assaulted both brothers. Michael was struck on the head with a kada (metal bracelet), while Anjel suffered severe stab wounds to his neck, spine, and stomach. The siblings were rushed to Graphic Era Hospital in Dehradun, where Anjel remained in critical condition, unconscious and on a ventilator for over two weeks. Despite medical efforts, he passed away in the early hours of December 26.
Police initially filed charges for assault and criminal intimidation but upgraded the case to murder under sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following Anjel's death. Five suspects - Avinash Negi, Shaurya Rajput, Suraj Khawas, Ayush Badoni, and Sumit have been arrested, including two minors. The primary accused, Yagya Awasthi, is absconding, with authorities suspecting he fled to Nepal. A Rs 25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his capture, and two police teams are pursuing him.
The incident has ignited massive protests in Tripura and other Northeastern states, with student organisations demanding a national law to combat racially motivated crimes. Demonstrators expressed grief and frustration over persistent discrimination against people from the region, often mistaken for foreigners due to their features. Anjel, son of a Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, hailed from a patriotic family, amplifying calls for justice.
Anjel's body was flown to Agartala on December 27 amid an outpouring of sorrow, before being transported to his native village for last rites, coordinated with local support groups. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami condemned the attack, vowing strict action against those disrupting law and order. Tipra Motha Party leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, who assisted the family, stated, "It's tragic that patriotic Northeasterners are called Chinese and attacked... We demand justice."
Anjel's father appealed for measures to prevent such incidents, highlighting the need for awareness and protection for students from the Northeast. The case has renewed national discussions on internal racism, with activists urging swift trials and societal change.
