BSF jawan’s son killed in Dehradun after racial slurs
A 24-year-old student from Indian state of Tripura, Angel Chakma, son of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, died in Dehradun of Uttarakhand on December 26 after battling for life for more than two weeks following a brutal stabbing allegedly triggered by racial and caste-based abuse.
The incident took place on December 9 in the Selaqui area of Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Chakma, a final-year MBA student at Jigyasa University, was shopping for household items with his younger brother Michael when a group of men allegedly hurled racial slurs such as “Chinese,” “chinky,” and “momos,” along with caste-based insults, at them.
According to the FIR filed on December 12 based on Michael’s complaint, the situation escalated after Angel protested. The attackers allegedly struck Michael on the head with a metal bracelet and stabbed Angel multiple times in the head, neck, back, abdomen and spine.
Angel was admitted in critical condition to Graphic Era Hospital, where he suffered severe spinal and head injuries. He succumbed after 17 days of treatment. His father later took the body to their hometown in Pecharthal of North Tripura for burial.
Uttarakhand Police have arrested five accused - Avinash Negi, Shaurya Rajput, Suraj Khawas, Sumit Kumar and Ayush Badoni. Two of them are reportedly minors and have been sent to a juvenile home. Another accused, Yagya Awasthi, is absconding, prompting police to announce a reward of ₹25,000 and send teams to Nepal to track him down. Murder charges have since been added to the case.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh said one of the arrested accused is from Manipur, while the others are local residents of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami condemned the killing and assured strict action. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also spoke to Dhami, who confirmed arrests and ongoing investigations.
The killing has sparked outrage in Tripura and across the Northeast, renewing concerns over racial discrimination against people from the region. Political leaders, student bodies and rights groups have demanded swift justice, stricter punishment for the perpetrators and stronger legal safeguards for Northeast residents living in other parts of India.
Police said investigations are ongoing and special measures, including activation of Northeast support cells, have been taken to address safety concerns.
Source: Free Press Journal