NCST Demands Action Report in 3 Days on Murder of Tripura Student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun

New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has stepped in firmly after the shocking murder of MBA student Angel Chakma, issuing notices to senior officials in Uttarakhand and demanding a detailed action-taken report within three days. 

The Commission has directed the Director General of Police, the Dehradun District Magistrate, and the Senior Superintendent of Police to explain the delay in registering the FIR and to clarify the measures taken so far in the investigation. The intervention follows widespread outrage among student groups and community leaders, who allege that the police were slow to act and attempted to shield the accused. 

The Fatal Attack 

According to the FIR, Angel and his younger brother Michael were harassed by six intoxicated men in the Selakui area on December 9. The attackers allegedly hurled racial slurs, mocking them with terms such as “Chinese,” “Nepali,” “Chinki,” and “Momos.” When the brothers resisted, the abuse escalated into violence. Michael was struck on the head with a heavy metal bracelet, while Angel was stabbed multiple times by the prime accused Yagya Awasthi. Another attacker hit him with a metal rod, leaving Angel critically injured. Despite medical efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries. 

Anjel Chakma’s uncle, Momen Chakma, spoke to Republic TV and recounted the harrowing incident in his own words. He said, “I am very close to both Anjel and Michael. I first heard what happened when Michael called me. He told me Anjel was critically injured. I reached Dehradun the next morning. Michael told me the attackers were complete strangers, intoxicated and aggressive. They hurled racial slurs. When Michael said, ‘We are Indians,’ they hit him. Anjel jumped in to save his brother, but the gang surrounded him and started stabbing.” Momen Chakma alleges that the murder was not just a random act of violence but a racially motivated attack. He claims that the accused men first hurled racial slurs such as “Chinki,” “Ponki,” and “Chinese” at Angel and his younger brother Michael. According to him, when the brothers resisted and asserted their identity, the situation escalated into physical violence.

Arrests and Police Response 

Police have arrested five individuals, including two minors sent to a juvenile home, while one accused remains at large. Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh has denied racial motives in the preliminary probe, claiming the FIR was delayed because the complaint was filed 24 hours later. Student organisations, however, continue to describe the killing as a hate crime. 

National Reaction 

The case has drawn national attention. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasised the urgent need to ensure safety for people from India’s Northeast, noting that such incidents highlight their vulnerability outside home states. Angel’s father, Tarun Prasad Chakma, a BSF jawan, made an emotional appeal for equal treatment, saying, “We are all Indians. Our children should not face such hostility when they go to study or work in other cities.” 

State Government’s Assurance 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke directly with Angel’s family, expressing grief and assuring strict action. Additional DGP V. Murugesan confirmed that police teams are actively pursuing the absconding accused, with a reward announced for information. He added that instructions have been issued to district police chiefs to ensure the safety of Northeastern residents in the state. 

The NCST’s intervention has amplified demands for accountability. Community leaders insist the case must be treated as a hate crime, and justice delivered swiftly. 

Read More: 'Harshest Punishment..': Uttarakhand CM Assures Father of Angel Chakma