Dehradun, December 29, 2025 – A 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, Anjel Chakma (also known as Angel Chakma), succumbed to his injuries on December 26 after battling for over two weeks following a brutal assault in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun. The incident, allegedly triggered by racial slurs, has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the Northeast, with student organisations demanding swift justice and stronger protections against discrimination faced by people from the region.
Anjel, a resident of Nandanagar in Unakoti district, was pursuing his MBA at a private university in Dehradun. On the night of December 9, he and his younger brother Michael were shopping in the Selaqui area when a group of six intoxicated youths allegedly approached them and began hurling racist remarks, including “Chinki”, “Chinese”, and “Momo”.
According to the FIR filed by Michael on December 12, when he objected to the slurs, the situation escalated. Anjel intervened to protect his brother and became the primary target. The assailants attacked him with rods, sharp weapons, and a bracelet (kada), inflicting severe injuries to his head, back, and other parts of his body, including damage to his spinal cord.
Anjel was rushed to Graphic Era Hospital in critical condition and remained on ventilator support for days before passing away. Police reports confirm he was stabbed multiple times.
Dehradun police arrested five accused—Avinash Negi (25), Suraj Khawas (21), Sumit Kumar (25), Shaurya (18), and Ayush Badoni (18)—on December 14 and sent them to judicial custody. The main accused, Yagya Awasthi, remains absconding and is believed to have fled to Nepal. Authorities have announced a Rs 25,000 reward for information leading to his capture and dispatched a team to trace him.
Following Anjel’s death, murder charges were added to the case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The incident has ignited protests in Tripura and other Northeast states. Student groups, including the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation and Tripura Chakma Students Association, organised candlelight marches in Agartala, condemning the attack as a hate crime and calling for a national law against racial discrimination.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha spoke to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who assured a thorough investigation and strict action. Leaders like Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma have vowed to support the family and push for severe punishment.
Anjel’s father, a BSF jawan, has demanded capital punishment for the perpetrators, highlighting ongoing racism faced by Northeast Indians.
This tragic case underscores persistent concerns over the safety of Northeast students in mainland India, renewing calls for greater awareness and legal safeguards against xenophobic violence.
