The murder of a student from Tripura in Dehradun has incited outrage not only in Uttarakhand but throughout the entire North East. Uttarakhand's Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has vowed strict action, while the police dispatched a team to Nepal in search of a fugitive suspect. A case has been registered under sections 115(2), 118, 351(3), 109, 103(1), and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code.
Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old from Unakoti, Tripura, was pursuing his final year of MBA at a university in Dehradun. On the night of December 9th, Angel and his younger brother, Michael Chakma, got into an argument with Suraj Khawas from Manipur and his friends at the Selakui market. The argument quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, where the attackers relentlessly stabbed Angel with knives.
Severely injured, Angel was admitted to a hospital, where he succumbed on December 26th. Initially, the police registered a case under sections 115(2), 118, and 351(3) of the IPC. However, based on Angel's medical and post-mortem reports, section 109 was added, and following his death, sections 103(1) and 3(5) were also included in the case.
The victim's father, Tarun Chakma, stationed with the Border Security Force in Manipur, alleged that his son was subjected to racial slurs. He stated that the attackers derided Angel by calling him 'Chinese' and 'Chinese Momo.' Despite Angel asserting his Indian identity, he was nonetheless assaulted. However, the police have refuted the racial allegations.
Ajay Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police in Dehradun, remarked that one of the suspects is also from Manipur. In total, six suspects were involved, with five—two being minors—already apprehended. One fugitive, Yagyraj Awasthi, hails from Nepal's Kanchanpur district, and a reward of 25,000 INR has been announced for his arrest.
A police team has been sent to Nepal to capture him. Among the arrested suspects are Suraj Khawas, Avinash Negi, and Sumit. Regarding the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that such events will not be tolerated in Uttarakhand. He instructed the police to promptly apprehend the fugitive suspect. The Chief Minister emphasized that those undermining the law and order will not be spared.
Tripura's Chief Minister, Manik Saha, also communicated with Uttarakhand's Chief Minister, demanding stringent action against the culprits. He assured that the state government would take all necessary steps to secure justice for the victim's family. Additionally, Tipra Motha Party's leader, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, also spoke with Angel Chakma's family and promised justice. Meghalaya's Chief Minister has also condemned the incident.
