The government of Tripura on Tuesday announced a significant one-time financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the grieving family of Anjel Chakma. The 24-year-old MBA student tragically lost his life last week after an alleged racially motivated assault in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The state administration has pledged to exert all possible efforts to ensure justice is served in this harrowing case.
Leadership Responds with Assurances and Action
In a related development, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally contacted Anjel's father, Tarun Chakma, a serving BSF jawan, on Monday. During the conversation, CM Dhami expressed profound sorrow over the incident and gave a firm assurance. He stated that the guilty individuals "will not be spared under any circumstances" and promised they would face the "strictest punishment in accordance with the law."
Dhami further outlined that concrete measures are now being implemented to safeguard students from the northeast who are pursuing their studies in Uttarakhand. He emphasized that the state government stands in solidarity with the victim's family "with full sensitivity and resolve," reaffirming its commitment to delivering justice.
A Protracted Fight for Life and a Demanding Investigation
Anjel Chakma succumbed to his injuries on December 26 after a brave 17-day struggle in the hospital. The attack, which occurred on December 9 in Dehradun's Selakui area, also left his younger brother, Michael, injured. Michael is currently recovering. The assailants reportedly included individuals from Manipur and Nepal.
The tragic death has ignited sustained protests by student organizations. They are demanding not only justice for Anjel but also the enactment of a robust law specifically designed to protect people from the northeastern states residing in other parts of India.
According to sources close to the family, CM Dhami confirmed that a police team has been sent to Nepal to track down the main suspect, identified as Yagya Awasthi. A reward has also been announced for information leading to his capture. However, the Chakma family has voiced dissatisfaction with the initial response of the Uttarakhand Police. They allege that the First Information Report (FIR) was registered only three days after they notified authorities and that police did not act on their complaints until December 26.
Rewards and Political Pressure Amplify Calls for Justice
Expressing frustration over the investigation's pace, Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, the founder of TIPRA Motha and a BJP ally in Tripura, announced a substantial reward of Rs 10 lakh. This reward is for anyone providing information that helps police apprehend the fugitive. His announcement came after the Uttarakhand government set a reward of Rs 25,000 for the same purpose. Debbarman pointedly questioned, "Is this the worth of Anjel's life?" and urged officials to stop trivializing crimes against indigenous communities.
In a significant update, reports indicate that the Uttarakhand Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the case. The political pressure for action continues to mount, with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and former CM Biplab Kumar Deb, now a Lok Sabha MP, holding another discussion with CM Dhami on Monday. They pressed for stringent action against all those responsible for this devastating loss of life.
