Dehradun Police on Thursday said the main accused in the racially-motivated death of Tripura student Anjel Chakma has fled to Nepal, and extradition proceedings are underway to bring him back.
The 24-year-old
Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student from Tripura, died on December 26 after being attacked with knives and brass knuckles during a racially-charged attack in Dehradun. Anjel and his younger brother Michael were stopped by a group of men on December 9, who allegedly hurled racial slurs at them, leading to a confrontation at a local market.
The attack has prompted arrests, protests in Tripura, and assurances of strict legal action from the Uttarakhand government. Police have taken five of the six accused into custody. Two were found to be underage and sent to a correctional home, while three are in judicial custody.
The sixth accused, identified as Yagyaraj Awasthi, 22, a Nepalese national, is currently absconding. Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh said Awasthi fled to Nepal after the attack, and the process of extradition has been initiated to bring him back. The Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) has also sent a report to the central agency for this purpose.
A reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced for information leading to his arrest, and a non-bailable warrant has been issued. The FIR on Anjel’s death also mentioned that the accused threatened to kill the brothers if they reported the matter to the police.
Victim’s Father Hopes For Justice
Speaking to CNN-News18, Tarun Prasad Chakma, a BSF jawan posted in Manipur and Anjel’s father, said he wanted justice to be delivered as early as possible. He said law enforcement agencies were under pressure because of news channels.
“I am hopeful that we will get justice,” he said. Earlier, Tarun Prasad Chakma also alleged that Anjel was assaulted while defending his brother, who was reportedly called “Chinese momo” by the attackers. The victim’s father added that his son told them he “was also Indian, not Chinese,” but was attacked with knives and blunt objects.
On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government provided financial assistance of Rs 4.12 lakh to the Chakma family under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack, including three adults, Suraj Khwas (22), Avinash Negi (25), and Sumit (25), all residents of Manipur living in Dehradun, and two minors, who have been sent to a juvenile reform home.
