Dehradun police have firmly rejected allegations of procedural delay in the investigation into the death of 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, who succumbed to injuries after an alleged racially motivated assault. The victim's family, however, has accused the Selaqui police of failing to act promptly when the incident was first reported.
Family's Allegation of Police Inaction
Tarun Prasad Chakma, Anjel's father and a head constable with the Border Security Force, has presented a troubling account of the initial police response. He stated that his younger son, Michael Chakma, who witnessed the assault on December 9, went to the Selaqui police station with friends the following day, December 10, to file a formal complaint.
"The officer there refused to register the First Information Report (FIR), telling them that incidents like this happen every day," the father alleged. According to the family, it was only on December 12, two days after the initial attempt, that police officially registered the complaint. Subsequently, five out of the six accused were arrested on December 14.
Police Defense and Investigation Timeline
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Singh directly countered these claims. He insisted that the police adhered strictly to legal protocols and that there was no delay in the process.
"Michael lodged the complaint more than 24 hours after the incident," Singh explained. "Since the slurs were alleged to be casteist and the accused were unidentified, we had to first verify the details under applicable legal provisions." He further noted that there was no prior intimation to the police control room, despite the incident occurring at a busy highway spot between 6 and 6:15 PM.
Singh detailed that police immediately began verifying the complaint by examining CCTV footage and interviewing people in the area. "Once that verification was complete, a case was registered without wasting any time on Dec 12," he asserted. The SSP emphasized that within 48 hours of the FIR, five accused, including two juveniles, were apprehended.
Medical Cause of Death and Ongoing Manhunt
On the cause of Anjel Chakma's death, SSP Singh cited the medical report, which stated the young man sustained grievous injuries to his neck after being hit with a kada (metal bracelet). "The neck injury eventually led to brain death," he said, confirming that Anjel passed away at around 7 AM on December 26.
This account was corroborated by Dr. Mahesh Kuriyal, a senior Dehradun-based neurosurgeon familiar with the treatment. "He was struck in the neck with a kada and stabbed in the spine," Dr. Kuriyal said. "Though he underwent surgeries, a clot in his brain led to fatal swelling."
The sixth accused, Yagya Awasthi, remains at large. Singh revealed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the supervision of the SP Rural (Vikasnagar). Intelligence inputs suggest Awasthi is hiding near the Nepal border. The reward for information leading to his capture was significantly increased on Tuesday from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
Community Outreach and Reassurance
In the wake of the incident, Dehradun police have initiated community outreach efforts. SSP Singh stated that officers have met with students from the Northeast to reassure them of their safety. "There are about 2,500 students from the Northeast in Dehradun, including around 250 from Tripura," he said, adding that maintaining their confidence in local law enforcement was a top priority.
The case continues to highlight tensions and procedural debates surrounding hate crimes and police responsiveness in the region.
