Tribal Student Dies After Assault Over Racial Slurs in Dehradun, Body Flown Back to Tripura

Agartala/Dehradun, December 28, 2025: Tripura was engulfed in grief and anger on Saturday as the body of Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student from Jigyasa University in Dehradun, was brought back to the state following a brutal attack in Uttarakhand. Anjel had been battling for his life in a hospital for weeks after sustaining severe injuries in an assault linked to racial abuse. The incident occurred on December 9 in the Selaqui area of Dehradun between 6 pm and 7 pm. Anjel, along with his younger brother Michael Chakma, a student at Uttaranchal University, had stepped out to buy groceries when they were allegedly targeted by a group of unidentified youths. Reports indicate that the attackers, allegedly intoxicated, directed racial slurs and local insults at the brothers. When Anjel and Michael objected to the derogatory remarks, the situation quickly escalated into violence. During the assault, Michael was reportedly struck on the head, while Anjel was stabbed multiple times in the neck and abdomen. He was immediately rushed to the intensive care unit of a local hospital in Dehradun. Despite receiving critical care for several weeks, Anjel succumbed to his injuries on Friday. Following his death, Anjel’s body was flown from Dehradun to Agartala via Delhi on Saturday. Family members, along with leaders of the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) and the Tribal Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF), received him at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport. The body was then taken to his residence in Nandanagar, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects. Later, the final rites were performed in his native village in the Unakoti district. The attack has sparked widespread outrage across Tripura and among student organizations nationwide. Family members and student groups have demanded strict action against the perpetrators and called on the Central Government to take firm measures to curb racial discrimination against North-Eastern youths in other parts of India. Authorities are currently investigating the assault, with local police in Dehradun looking for the suspects. The case has reignited discussions on the safety and protection of students from North-Eastern states, highlighting the persistent challenges they face due to racial prejudice. Anjel’s death has not only left his family devastated but has also drawn attention to the urgent need for awareness, law enforcement, and preventive measures to ensure that students across India can live, study, and move freely without fear of discrimination or violence. Tribal Student Dies After Assault Over Racial Slurs in Dehradun, Body Flown Back to Tripura Tripura is in shock as Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student from Jigyasa University in Dehradun, passed away following a brutal attack linked to racial abuse. Anjel had been fighting for his life for weeks after being stabbed multiple times in the neck and abdomen during the assault. His younger brother, Michael Chakma, was also attacked but survived with injuries to his head. The incident occurred on December 9 in Dehradun’s Selaqui area. Anjel and Michael had stepped out to buy groceries when a group of unidentified youths, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, hurled racial slurs and insults at them. When the brothers objected, the situation quickly escalated into violence. Despite receiving intensive care at a local hospital, Anjel succumbed to his injuries on December 27. On Saturday, Anjel’s body was flown from Dehradun to Agartala via Delhi. Family members, along with leaders of the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) and the Tribal Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF), received him at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport. The body was then taken to his home in Nandanagar, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects, before being taken to his native village in Unakoti district for the final rites. The attack has sparked widespread outrage, with student organizations and family members demanding strict punishment for the perpetrators. They have also called on the Central Government to take serious measures to prevent racial discrimination against North-Eastern youths across India. Authorities in Dehradun are investigating and searching for the attackers. Anjel’s tragic death highlights the ongoing challenges faced by students from the North-East and the urgent need for awareness, protection, and strict enforcement of laws to ensure their safety while studying and living in other parts of the country.