The father of a Tripura student, who succumbed to injuries after a brutal racial assault in Dehradun, has made grave allegations against the local authorities, accusing them of refusing to file a First Information Report (FIR) promptly and dismissing the violent incident as a "minor matter." The case, which has now seen charges upgraded to attempted murder, highlights serious concerns over police response to hate crimes.
Allegations of Police Inaction and Delay
Tarun Prasad Chakma, the grieving father of the victim Anjel Chakma, stated that his family's pleas for immediate legal action were initially ignored. "They wanted to file an FIR, but they were refused, being told it was a minor matter... Only when we went there did they finally register the case," he recounted. According to him, the case was registered only after he personally reached Dehradun from Tripura and approached the police.
Tarun Chakma described the harrowing scene at the hospital after the December 9 attack. "I saw my child in a critical condition; his left arm and leg were paralysed because he had been stabbed twice in the back. Blood was gushing from his head," he said. The police later reviewed CCTV footage from the scene in Selaqui, which showed three individuals on a motorcycle approaching Anjel's younger brother, engaging in a brief conversation before hurling abusive comments.
Details of the Assault and Escalating Charges
The tragic incident unfolded on December 9 when Anjel Chakma and his 21-year-old brother, Michael Chakma, were purchasing groceries. They were allegedly stopped by a group of six men. The police complaint states that the assailants subjected the brothers to racial slurs, including "Chinki," "Chinese," and "Momo," before physically assaulting them.
Based on Michael's complaint, an FIR was eventually registered on December 12 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing hurt, using dangerous weapons, and criminal intimidation. The charges took a more severe turn on December 14, after doctors assessed the gravity of Anjel's injuries. Police then invoked additional sections for attempted murder and criminal conspiracy.
Arrests and Manhunt for Prime Accused
In a swift development following the registration of the enhanced charges, police arrested five of the six accused on December 14. Among those apprehended are two juveniles. However, the alleged prime accused, identified as Yagya Awasthi, remains at large. Police officials believe Awasthi has fled to Nepal and confirmed that a special team has been dispatched to track him down.
The case has sparked outrage and brought into sharp focus the issue of racial discrimination and violence against individuals from India's northeastern states. The delay in filing the FIR, as alleged by the victim's family, raises critical questions about institutional responsiveness to such targeted attacks.
