Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Dehradun: The murder of 24‑year‑old Tripura student Angel Chakma in Dehradun has taken a disturbing turn. Police investigations revealed that after stabbing Angel, the accused did not flee. Instead, they bought alcohol and celebrated at a tea stall. Some of them did not return home for several days, leaving their families unaware of the crime.
Angel’s brother, Michael, struggled to take his seriously injured sibling to the hospital. Angel suffered severe head and spinal injuries and died on December 26 after fighting for his life for several days. Following his death, police added murder charges to the case. His father, a BSF soldier, has said that the Uttarakhand Police did not even register an FIR initially. It was done only after sustained pressure from the “All India Chakma Students Association”.
How the clash began
According to police, the incident took place on December 9 near a liquor shop in Selaqui market. A group of six young men encountered Angel and his brother Michael. A minor altercation quickly escalated into violence.
Investigations revealed that one of the accused, Yagya Raj Awasthi, picked up a knife from a nearby fruit cart and stabbed Angel. Michael was also injured in the clash.
Michael later said in a video, “We were coming from the market. Those people had been drinking alcohol. They called us ‘Chinki’ and abused us. I asked them why they were abusing us. They stabbed my brother with a knife. We want justice.”
Police deny racial slur
While Michael alleged that the attackers used racial slurs like “Chinese” and “Chinki,” Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh stated that prima facie there was no concrete evidence of racial violence. He said the incident appeared to be the result of a sudden altercation between two groups, not a planned hate crime.
Police also revealed that the accused included youths from Nepali, Manipuri, and Boksa communities.
Drinking and partying after the attack
After the stabbing, the accused returned to the liquor store, bought alcohol, and partied at Avinash Negi’s tea stall. This shocking detail has sparked outrage among students and organizations in Uttarakhand and northeastern states, who are demanding a fair investigation and strict punishment for the culprits.
Arrests and search for the main accused
Police have arrested three accused and sent them to judicial custody. Two minors, aged 15 and 17, have been sent to a juvenile reform home. The main accused, Yagya Raj Awasthi, is absconding. Police and Special Task Force (STF) teams have reached Nepal to apprehend him. Raids are being conducted to ensure his arrest.
Outrage and demand for justice
The incident has sparked anger and grief across Uttarakhand and the Northeast. Student organizations have called it a hate crime and demanded severe punishment for those responsible. Angel’s family, especially his father Tarun Chakma, has demanded justice for their son’s untimely death.
The murder of Angel Chakma has exposed disturbing details of violence, insensitivity, and reckless behavior. While police deny racial motives, the revelations of drinking and partying after the attack have shocked the public. The case continues to be investigated, with demands for justice growing louder.
