The family of Anjel Chakma, a young man from Tripura who was killed in Dehradun earlier this month, has issued a sharp rebuttal to the city's top police officer's public dismissal of racial slurs as a motive behind the murder. This claim is central to the family's account and is supported by the firsthand testimony of Anjel's brother, Michael, who witnessed the fatal assault.
Eyewitness Account Ignored, Alleges Family
Momen Chakma, Anjel's uncle and among the first relatives to arrive in Dehradun after the attack, accused the police of ignoring the words of the sole eyewitness. Michael Chakma is not only a family member but also the official complainant in the case. "He was there when it happened. The incident lasted minutes - how do you expect anyone to stop and film something like that?" Momen told TOI on Tuesday. He expressed frustration that instead of listening to the person who saw the events unfold, the police were issuing public statements without completing the investigation.
Police Clarify Stance, Cite Probe Ongoing
Faced with mounting questions, Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh clarified on Tuesday that Michael's initial complaint only mentioned "casteist slurs." SSP Singh stated, "The family stayed in Dehradun until December 27 but did not mention racial slurs to the police...If they want to share additional information, we are open to including it in the probe." He added that if the family was raising the issue of racial slurs now, the police were not previously aware, but emphasized that the case is still under investigation and that evidence is being gathered to build a strong chargesheet.
Previously, Dehradun police, pointing to the ethnic background of some of the accused, had said they found no indication of racial provocation. The grieving family has labeled this conclusion as "premature and deeply dismissive."
Attack Details and Public Backlash
The incident occurred when 24-year-old Anjel and his younger brother Michael were allegedly attacked by a group of six men after objecting to their disruptive behaviour. According to Michael and other family members, the attackers shouted racial slurs - including words like "chinki," "Chinese," and "momo" - before turning violent. Michael sustained injuries, and Anjel later succumbed to his wounds.
"It's not just about one word or one insult," Momen Chakma said. "It's about whether our voices are even considered valid when we speak." The police reasoning that two of the six accused are from Manipur and Nepal, thus making a racial motive unlikely, has triggered significant public criticism. This response has come particularly from members of civil society in North-East India and activists familiar with the region's complex ethnic and linguistic diversity.
