The Uttarakhand government on Sunday broke its silence, 19 days after the fatal attack on a Tripura-based student, Angel Chakma, who succumbed to his injuries at a Dehradun hospital on Christmas Day.
Angel, the son of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, was allegedly assaulted by a group of local youths after he objected to racial remarks made against him and his brother, Machel Chakma.
The incident took place on December 9 in Selakui area, where the 24-year-old MBA student had gone shopping with his brother.
Following the incident, Dehradun police registered an FIR on December 12 on the complaint of Machel Chakma. Five accused have since been arrested, while one remains absconding.
Breaking his silence on the matter, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Sunday that those involved in the incident would not be spared. “Such incidents will not be tolerated, and the government will deal strictly with those responsible,” he said.
The Chief Minister informed that five accused have been arrested so far in connection with the murder of Angel Chakma, a resident of Debram in Unakoti district of Tripura.
Two of the accused are minors and have been sent to a juvenile reformation home. A reward of ₹25,000 has been announced for the arrest of the sixth accused, who is currently absconding. Dhami added that a police team has also been sent to Nepal, as the absconding accused is suspected to be of Nepali origin.
Directing the Dehradun police to ensure the immediate arrest of the remaining accused, the Chief Minister expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and assured that justice would be delivered. He reiterated that the state government is fully committed to ensuring the safety of every citizen.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajai Singh stated that the victim was attacked by six youths after he questioned them over derogatory remarks made against him.
He confirmed that the arrested accused have been sent to jail, while efforts are underway to trace the sixth accused. Singh also stated that although the case was initially registered as an assault, murder charges were added following Angel’s death. One of the accused, he said, hails from Manipur.
According to the FIR lodged by Angel’s brother, the attack took place after the accused allegedly passed racial and casteist remarks. When Angel questioned them about the comments, the group allegedly assaulted both brothers with knives and iron rods.
The FIR stated that Angel sustained severe head and neck injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, Graphic Era, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The victim’s father, who is posted in the Northeast, and other family members later took Angel’s body to his hometown for the last rites.