Dehradun/Tripura: Agartala, Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Monday announced a Rs 10 lakh cash reward on information that will lead to the arrest of the main accused in the Anjel Chakma murder case, according to reports.
Chakma (24) has died in a Dehradun hospital after sustaining grievous injuries in an attack that began as a protest against racial slurs, police and family sources said. Anjel, a final-year student at Jigyasa University in Dehradun, was allegedly assaulted on December 9 in the Selaqui area while he was out buying groceries with his younger brother, Michael Chakma. A group of men is reported to have hurled derogatory racial slurs — including terms such as “Chinese,” “Chinki,” and “momo” — at the brothers during the encounter, which quickly escalated into violence.
According to police and family accounts, the brothers objected to the abuse, and the situation deteriorated. Michael was struck on the head with a metal kada (bracelet) and Anjel was attacked with knives. He suffered stab wounds to his neck, back, and abdomen, and was rushed to Graphic Era Hospital where he remained under intensive care for over two weeks.
Despite medical efforts, Anjel succumbed to his injuries on December 26.
Uttarakhand Police have arrested five of the six individuals allegedly involved in the assault, including two juveniles. The identified suspects include Avinash Negi, Suraj Khwas, Sumit, Ayush Badoni and another individual; all are in judicial custody. The sixth suspect, identified as Yagya Awasthi, is reported to be absconding, possibly in Nepal, and police have announced a reward for information leading to his arrest.
The case was initially registered following a complaint by Michael Chakma. After Anjel’s death, police upgraded the charges to include murder and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, reflecting the severity of the offence.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, particularly in Tripura and among communities from Northeastern India. Protests and calls for justice have taken place, with student groups and tribal organisations demanding stringent punishment for those responsible and broader measures to address racial discrimination.
Political and civil rights bodies, including the Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI), have called for a fast-track trial and urged the central government to consider stronger laws against racial and xenophobic violence.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has described the attack as “unacceptable,” assuring strict action and cooperation with investigators.
Anjel’s family has expressed deep grief over the loss. His father, a serving BSF jawan, has condemned the violence and urged that those responsible be punished.