WinifredMontero at 18:08, 18 February 2026

2026-02-18T18:08:07Z

New page

{{Short description|Crime in India in 2025}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| image =
| caption =
| date = {{Start date and age|2025|12|09}}
| title = Lynching of Anjel Chakma
| location = [[Dehradun]] [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|30.3540|77.8766|display=inline,title}}
| type = Lynching
| fatalities = 1
| injuries =
| victims =
| victim = Anjel Chakma
| perpetrators = {{estimated}} 6 people
| inquiry =
| accused = 6
| convicted =
| convictions =
}}

'''Lynching of Anjel Chakma''' refers to the fatal stabbing and death of '''Anjel Chakma,''' a 24‑year‑old MBA student from [[Tripura]], [[India]], following a violent, racially charged assault in [[Dehradun]], [[Uttarakhand]], in December 2025. Prior to the incident, Chakma and his younger brother were subjected to repeated ethnic epithets such as "Chinki", "Chinese", and "Momo" because of their [[North-east India|northeastern Indian appearance]]. During the attack, Chakma was stabbed and later died on 26 December 2025 after 17 days in hospital, while his brother sustained non‑fatal injuries.<ref>{{cite news |title='Oye Chinese, have you come to buy pork?': Racial taunts led to fatal stabbing in Dehradun |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/oye-chinese-have-you-come-to-buy-pork-how-racial-taunts-led-to-tripura-students-killing-in-dehradun/articleshow/126211432.cms |work=The Times of India |date=28 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='They called him Chinese and momo': Racial attack snuffs out young life |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/they-called-him-chinese-and-momo-he-said-hes-from-tripura-in-dehradun-racial-attack-snuffs-out-young-life-10443877/ |work=The Indian Express |date=30 December 2025}}</ref> The incident sparked nationwide protests and compelled [[Uttarakhand Police]] to form a [[Special Investigation Team (India)|SIT]] to probe Chakma's death.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tripura student Anjel Chakma’s death: What we know so far |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tripura-student-angel-chakma-death-mob-attack-what-we-know-so-far/article70452233.ece |website=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=16 January 2026 |language=en-IN |date=30 December 2025}}</ref>

== The incident ==
The incident happened when Anjel and his brother Michel went to a market in the Selakui area of the city on the evening of 9 December 2025 to buy some household items, where they faced some intoxicated men insulting them as ''Chinese momo'' and other racial slurs. Anjel replied them ''we are also Indian, not Chinese'' but the group attacked both brothers with knives and blunt objects.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jain |first1=Ankit |title=Tripura student dies after racial attack with knife, kada; fought for life for 17 days |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/uttarakhand/story/tripura-student-dies-after-racial-attack-with-knife-kada-in-uttarakhand-dehradun-battled-for-life-17-days-2842832-2025-12-28 |access-date=18 January 2026 |work=[[India Today]] |date=28 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Choudhury |first1=Ratnadip |title=Tripura Student Stabbed To Death In Dehradun For Objecting To Racial Abuse |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/angel-chakma-tripura-student-stabbed-to-death-in-dehradun-for-objecting-to-racial-abuse-10016785 |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[NDTV]] |date=27 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Utkarsh |title='They called him Chinese momo': Tripura student lynched in Dehradun |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/they-called-him-chinese-momo-tripura-student-lynched-in-dehradun/20251229.htm |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Anjel suffered head, neck and spinal injuries and was hospitalised for over two weeks before he succumbed to his injuries on 26 December 2025.<ref>{{cite news | author =Ritesh |title=Tripura student Angel Chakma murdered in Dehradun: Racial slurs, 5 accused arrested — All we know so far - CNBC TV18 |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/tripura-student-angel-chakma-murder-in-dehradun-racial-slurs-arrests-made-police-probe-cm-dhami-all-we-know-ws-l-19805470.htm |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[CNBC TV18]] |date=28 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
Soon after the death of Anjel, ''[[BBC]]'' stated that the killing of Anjel Chakma has renewed calls for a specific anti-racism law.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Abhishek |title=Anjel Chakma: Tripura student's killing puts spotlight on racism in India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c931qx3lepro |access-date=16 January 2026 |work=[[BBC]] |date=9 January 2026}}</ref>

Following the incident, the All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) demanded shifting of murder trial out of the State.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tribal body seeks trial in Anjel Chakma murder case outside Uttarakhand |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tribal-body-seeks-trial-in-anjel-chakma-murder-case-outside-uttarakhand/article70449654.ece |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Students from [[Northeast India]] staged a protest at the [[Jantar Mantar, New Delhi]] demanding justice for Anjel Chakma.<ref>{{cite news |title=Students Protest At Jantar Mantar Over Tripura Man's Death In Dehradun |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/students-protest-at-jantar-mantar-over-tripura-mans-death-in-dehradun-10156891 |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[NDTV]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |date=31 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Voice raised with slogans as “Stop Racism”, “We Are Indians”, and “We Want Justice.”<ref>{{cite news |title=Northeast students hold candlelight march in Dehradun demanding justice for Anjel Chakma |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/01/northeast-students-hold-candlelight-march-in-dehradun-demanding-justice-for-anjel-chakma-2 |access-date=18 January 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]] |date=1 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Northeast students hold candlelight march demanding justice for Anjel |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/northeast-students-hold-candlelight-march-demanding-justice-for-anjel-1035778 |access-date=18 January 2026 |work=[[The Hans India]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]] |date=2 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref>

A nationwide protests were demonstrated with a call against racism ‘We are not Chinese’ over lynching of Anjel Chakma and urging justice for the victim.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Narendra |title=Dehradun protests continue over death of Tripura student Angel Chakma |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/01/dehradun-protests-continue-over-death-of-tripura-student-angel-chakma |access-date=16 January 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=1 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mondal |first1=Manisha |title=‘We are not Chinese’—Northeast students protest against killing of Anjel Chakma in Delhi |url=https://theprint.in/feature/we-are-not-chinese-northeast-students-protest-against-killing-of-anjel-chakma-in-delhi/2816479/ |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[ThePrint]] |date=1 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Syed Sajjad |title=Protests erupt in Tripura over murder of student Anjel Chakma in Uttarakhand |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tripura/protests-erupt-in-tripura-over-murder-of-student-angel-chakma-in-uttarakhand/article70448284.ece |url-access=subscription |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

[[Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha]] [[Rahul Gandhi]] condemned the incident and stated it as “horrific hate crime”.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tripura student Anjel Chakma’s death a horrific hate crime: Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/killing-of-tripura-student-in-dehradun-a-horrific-hate-crime-rahul-gandhi/article70449986.ece |access-date=24 January 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Gandhi also stated "Hate doesn’t appear overnight."<ref>{{cite news |title=‘Hate doesn't appear overnight’: Rahul Gandhi on Tripura student's death after racial attack |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hate-doesnt-appear-overnight-rahul-gandhi-on-tripura-student-death-after-racial-attack-101766993420654.html |access-date=24 January 2026 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

Reacting on the incident, [[Third Modi ministry|Union Minister]] of India [[Kiren Rijiju]] expressed deep anguish and demanded that state police forces adopt a ‘Delhi Police’ style special unit for the safety of people from the [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pandey |first1=Devanshe |title='I Am Hurt': Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Reacts To Tripura Student Anjel Chakma's Murder |url=https://www.news18.com/india/i-am-hurt-union-minister-kiren-rijiju-reacts-to-tripura-student-anjel-chakmas-murder-ws-bl-9798326.html |access-date=19 January 2026 |work=[[CNN-News18|News 18]] |date=29 December 2025}}</ref>

== Police case and aftermath ==
Anjel's brother Michel who was the witness of the incident filed a complaint on 10 December 2025 before [[Uttarakhand Police]] and a case was registered on 12 December 2025 against six accused.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Das |first1=Kalyan |title=Tripura student Angel Chakma’s death: Top cop denies delay in registering case; cites legal protocols |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/top-cop-denies-delay-in-registering-anjel-case-cites-legal-protocols/articleshow/126257253.cms |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=31 December 2025}}</ref>

However, Tarun Prasad Chakma, father of Anjel and a [[Border Security Force|BSF]] jawan posted in [[Manipur]] alleged that that the police initially refused to register a case, terming the incident a “minor matter”.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumari |first1=Priyanka |title=Cops refused to file FIR, said it was minor issue: Father of killed Tripura student |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/refused-fir-called-minor-matter-father-tripura-student-anjel-chakma-killed-dehradun-alleges-delay-police-action-2843605-2025-12-29 |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[India Today]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Witnessing nationwide protests [[Chief Minister of Uttarakhand]] [[Pushkar Singh Dhami]] spoke to Anjel's father and expressed grief and assured that the accused will be strictly punished and the victim will be given timely justice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sen Sharma |first1=Aalok |title=Tripura student killing: CM Dhami speaks to Angel Chakma's father, assures of strict action against accused |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/tripura-student-killing-cm-pushkar-singh-dhami-speaks-to-angel-chakma-s-father-assures-of-strict-action-against-accused-2025-12-29-1023660 |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[India TV]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Uttarakhand Police]] have arrested five people while the sixth accused ''Yagyaraj Awasthi'', a Nepali national, fled to [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jolly |first1=Akshita |title=Northeast students rally at Jantar Mantar, demand justice for Anjel Chakma's death |url=https://bestcolleges.indiatoday.in/news-detail/northeast-students-rally-at-jantar-mantar-demand-justice-for-anjel-chakmas-death-7272 |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[India Today]] |date=31 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Two accused were juveniles and they were sent to correctional homes, while three other were sent to judicial custody.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raj |first1=Aiswarya |title=After stabbing Tripura youth in Dehradun, accused bought booze and partied, some didn’t head home for days |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/after-stabbing-tripura-youth-in-dehradun-accused-bought-liquor-partied-10445752/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 January 2026 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=30 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The police announced a reward of INR 25,000 for information that leads to detain absconding accused ''Yagyaraj''. The police also stated before media that extradition process has been initiated to bring ''Yagyaraj'' back from Nepal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Sakshi |title=Dehradhun Tripura Student Killing: Anjel Chakma Assaulted With Knives & Metal Kada, Suffers Right-Side Paralysis; Latest Revelation In The Case |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/dehradhun-tripura-student-killing-anjel-chakma-assaulted-with-knives-metal-kada-suffers-right-side-paralysis-latest-revelation-in-the-case |access-date=18 January 2026 |work=[[The Free Press Journal]] |date=29 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Banerjee |first1=Aveek |title=Tripura Student Death: Dehradun Police Say Main Accused Fled To Nepal, Extradition Process Started |url=https://www.news18.com/india/tripura-student-death-dehradun-police-says-main-accused-fled-to-nepal-extradition-process-started-ws-kl-9832745.html |access-date=17 January 2026 |work=[[CNN-News18|News18]] |date=15 January 2026}}</ref> The reward money for information leading to Yagyaraj's arrest later has been raised from INR 25,000 to INR 1 lakh.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Narendra |title=Dehradun police raise reward to Rs 1 lakh for arrest of main accused in Angel Chakma murder case |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Dec/31/dehradun-police-raise-reward-to-rs-1-lakh-for-arrest-of-main-accused-in-angel-chakma-murder-case |access-date=18 January 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=31 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lynching deaths in India]]
[[Category:2025 murders in India]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:Racism in India]]

Lynching of Anjel Chakma - Revision history

WinifredMontero at 18:08, 18 February 2026