The death of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura who was studying in Uttarakhand, has sparked a wave of allegations, counterclaims, and public debate over whether racial abuse played a role in the violent incident that ultimately claimed his life. While Chakma’s family insists that the attack was motivated by racist slurs and discrimination, the Dehradun Police have maintained that their investigation has so far found no evidence to support claims of racial abuse.

The case has drawn attention not only because of the brutality of the assault but also because it touches on long-standing concerns about the treatment of people from India’s northeastern states in other parts of the country.

The Incident and Anjel Chakma’s Death

Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, died on December 26 after battling severe injuries for 17 days. He had been hospitalised following an alleged attack on December 9 in the Selaqui area of Dehradun.

According to police records, the incident occurred during a gathering near a liquor shop, where two groups of young men became involved in a heated altercation. The confrontation escalated into violence, during which Anjel Chakma and his younger brother, Michael Chakma, were injured. Anjel suffered critical injuries to his spine and neck and later succumbed to those injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Family’s Allegations of Racism

Anjel Chakma’s family has strongly rejected the police version that the incident was merely the result of a quarrel that spiralled out of control. His father, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan currently posted in Manipur’s Tangjeng, has alleged that the attack was racially motivated.

According to him, his sons were verbally abused and called “Chinese” and “Chinese momo” by the attackers. He claimed that the abuse began when the assailants hurled racial slurs at Michael Chakma. When Michael objected to the remarks, the situation worsened.

The grieving father said Anjel intervened to defend his brother, asserting that they were Indians and not Chinese, as they were being labelled. It was at this point, he alleged, that the attackers turned violent, using knives and blunt objects to assault Anjel.

Anjel’s uncle has echoed these claims, insisting that the incident cannot be separated from its racial dimension. He said that when Michael asked the attackers to stop making derogatory remarks, they were attacked, and Anjel was stabbed when he tried to protect his brother. The family has expressed anguish that, according to them, no bystanders came forward to help during the assault.

For the family, the police’s denial of a racial motive has only deepened their sense of injustice. They argue that dismissing the role of racial abuse ignores the lived experiences of people from the Northeast, many of whom say they routinely face slurs and stereotyping in other parts of India.

Police Version: No Evidence of Racial Abuse

The Dehradun Police, however, have firmly stated that their investigation has not uncovered any proof of racial discrimination or racially motivated violence in this case.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh said that while the police were aware of social media posts and public claims suggesting a racist motive, these allegations were not supported by evidence collected so far.

According to the SSP, no complaints of racial abuse were made to the police between December 9, the day of the incident, and December 26, when Anjel Chakma died. He also pointed out that the First Information Report (FIR) filed in the case does not mention any allegations of racial slurs or racial bias.

The police have described the incident as one that arose from a verbal argument that escalated into violence. Singh said that the gathering was linked to a birthday party hosted by one of the accused, Suraj Khwas, a resident of Manipur. Two groups were present at the location, including Anjel and his brother on one side and six other individuals on the other.

According to the police, there was some “banter” among the group, which the victim’s side found offensive. When Anjel and his brother objected, tempers flared, leading to a physical confrontation.

“In the confusion, the dispute escalated,” the SSP said, adding that both Anjel and Michael were injured during the fight. He reiterated that, based on witness statements and available evidence, no instance of racial slurs being used has come to light.

Arrests, Custody, and Ongoing Investigation

The police have taken action against those accused in the case. Of the six individuals named in the FIR, five have been taken into custody. Two of them were found to be minors and have been sent to a correctional home. Three others are currently in judicial custody.

The sixth accused, identified as 22-year-old Yagyraj Awasthi, a Nepalese national who had previously worked in Haridwar and other locations, is absconding. Police teams are searching for him, and a reward of ₹25,000 has been announced for information leading to his arrest. A non-bailable warrant has also been issued against him.

SSP Singh said that statements from local residents have been recorded and digital evidence, including CCTV footage from the area, has been collected and analysed. He stressed that the investigation is being carried out in a fair and transparent manner and that strict legal action will be taken based on the findings.

A Case That Raises Wider Questions

Even as the police maintain that there is no evidence of racial abuse, the case has reignited conversations about racism and discrimination faced by people from India’s northeastern states. Activists and student groups have pointed out that many incidents of verbal abuse go unreported or are not formally recorded in police complaints, often because victims do not expect authorities to take such allegations seriously.

For Anjel Chakma’s family, the fight is not only for justice in his death but also for recognition of what they believe was a racially charged attack. For the police, the focus remains on proving the case based on evidence that can stand up in court.

As the investigation continues and the search for the absconding accused goes on, the case remains a sensitive and closely watched one. It sits at the intersection of criminal justice, social prejudice, and the lived realities of students who leave their home states in search of education and opportunity.