The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) has demanded a fast-track trial and a separate anti-racial violence law following the alleged murder of Anjel Chakma, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) student from Tripura, in Dehradun of Uttarakhand.
Anjel Chakma reportedly died on December 26, 2025 at Dehradun hospital after battling serious injuries for more than two weeks.
The organisation has described the attack as racially motivated.
Incident took place in Selakui Market
According to the CDFI, the incident occurred on December 9 2025 at around 6 pm, when Anjel Chakma and his younger brother, Michael Chakma, went to Selakui Market to buy groceries. A group of six local men allegedly harassed the brothers without provocation, targeting them because of their physical appearance.
The attackers allegedly used racial slurs and abusive language. When the brothers protested, the group assaulted them.
“Michael Chakma was hit on the head with a metal bracelet, while Anjel Chakma was stabbed in the neck and stomach, leaving him critically injured. The attackers allegedly threatened the brothers before fleeing the scene,” the CDFI said on Saturday.
Allegations of lapses
CDFI founder Suhas Chakma alleged that the Uttarakhand Police failed to act promptly. He said the police took three days to register a First Information Report (FIR) and did not initially apply key legal provisions, including charges related to attempted murder and mob violence based on race or caste.
He claimed these lapses allowed the prime accused to escape, and the suspect has not yet been arrested.
Call for anti-racial violence law
The CDFI stated that the killing reflects a pattern of racial violence against people from North-East India. The organisation referred to the 2014 recommendations of the M.P. Bezbaruah Committee, formed after the killing of Nido Tania in Delhi.
The committee had recommended a separate law to address racial discrimination and violence, or amendments to existing criminal laws. The CDFI said current provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) are inadequate to deal with such crimes.
Demands made to Union Home Ministry
The CDFI has urged Union Home Ministry to ensure that the case is tried in a fast-track designated court. It has also called for murder charges under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Other demands include the immediate arrest of the main accused, the setting up of a dedicated helpline for North-East citizens in Dehradun, action against police officials for delays in registering the FIR, and compensation of Rs. 1 crore to the victim’s family and for the injuries suffered by Michael Chakma.