Anjel Chakma DEHRADUN: The family of Anjel Chakma, the young Tripura native killed in Dehradun earlier this month, pushed back sharply against the city police chief’s public dismissal of racial slurs as a motive behind the murder – a claim central to the family’s version of events and backed, they say, by the firsthand account of Anjel’s brother, Michael, who witnessed the attack. Momen Chakma, Anjel’s uncle and among the first relatives to arrive in the city after the assault, said the police were choosing to ignore the words of the only eyewitness. “Michael is not just a family member, he’s the complainant in the case. He was there when it happened. The incident lasted minutes – how do you expect anyone to stop and film something like that?” he told TOI Tuesday. “Instead of listening to the person who saw it unfold, they are issuing public statements without even completing the investigation.” Faced with mounting questions, Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh clarified Tuesday that Michael’s complaint only mentioned “casteist slurs”. He said, “The family stayed in Dehradun until Dec 27 but did not mention racial slurs to the police…If they want to share additional information, we are open to including it in the probe.”If the family of Tripura native Anjel Chakma is saying this (racial slurs motive behind the murder) now, we are not aware of it. However, the case is still under investigation,” Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh said. Police were gathering all possible evidence to build a strong case before filing the chargesheet, he added. Dehradun police, citing ethnic background of some of the accused, had said they found no indication of racial provocation in the case. The family, still grieving, called this “premature and deeply dismissive”. Anjel, 24, and his younger brother Michael, were in Dehradun when they were allegedly attacked by a group of six men after objecting to their disruptive behaviour. According to Michael and other family members, the attackers shouted racial slurs – words like “chinki”, “Chinese”, and “momo” – before turning violent. Michael sustained injuries, and Anjel later died of his wounds. “It’s not just about one word or one insult,” Momen said. “It’s about whether our voices are even considered valid when we speak.” SSP Singh had on Monday pointed out that two of the six accused were from Manipur and Nepal, which, he said, made a racial motive unlikely. That reasoning has since triggered public criticism, particularly from members of North-East civil society and activists familiar with the region’s complex ethnic and linguistic diversity.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJaishankar To Attend Khaleda Zia’s Funeral In Dhaka Amid Strained India-Bangladesh TiesDRDO Successfully Tests Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket In Odisha, To Be Inducted In Indian Army’UPSC Is Complete Waste Of Time’: PM’s Economic Advisor Sanjeev Sanyal On AI Era EducationHindu Guard Killed By Colleague In Bangladesh, Third Death In Days Raises Minority Safety Fears’Deeply Concerned’: PM Modi Reacts To Reports Of Attack On Putin’s House, Ukraine Responds“No Racial Angle”: SSP Rules Out Alleged Slurs in Angel Chakma KillingCongress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Flags Attacks on Migrant Workers to PM Modi’Will Rid Bengal Of Infiltrators’: Amit Shah Slams Mamata Banerjee’s 14-Year Rule, Sounds Poll BugleFrom Defence To Civil Skies: HAL’s Dhruv-NG Helicopter Takes Flight In India’s Aviation PushJapanese Tourist Harassed in Varanasi on Christmas, Netizens Slam ‘Mob Culture’123Photostories5 new unexpected couples and major celebrity weddings of 2025Tracing the arc from ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ through ‘Taish’ to ‘Dange’, Harshvardhan Rane’s growing stature5 iconic New Year markets in the USA that keep the holiday magic alive for long!3 reasons to consume Papaya smoothie and the right way to make it as per AIIMS doctor10 types of Pasta dishes from around the world6 best indoor exercises for people who are planning to build muscle strength‘Dhurandhar’: Saumya Tandon aka Ulfat Hasin Baloch says, ‘Aditya Dhar was always on my wish list’ – Exclusive7 weekly routines common among people who live to 100Healthiest fruits of 2025: These 5 fruits are richest in key nutrientsWhich Hindu Idol You Should Bring Home On January 1, 2026123Hot PicksIndigo flight DisruptionsPAN-Aadhaar link statusKhaleda ZiaGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingErika KirkTravis KelceJoel EmbiidAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsMagic Johnson vs Shaquille O Neal Net WorthPhiladelphia 76ers vs Memphis GrizzliesPopeyes Streaming BundlesJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthSidney Crosby Lifestyle
DEHRADUN: The family of Anjel Chakma, the young Tripura native killed in Dehradun earlier this month, pushed back sharply against the city police chief’s public dismissal of racial slurs as a motive behind the murder – a claim central to the family’s version of events and backed, they say, by the firsthand account of Anjel’s brother, Michael, who witnessed the attack. Momen Chakma, Anjel’s uncle and among the first relatives to arrive in the city after the assault, said the police were choosing to ignore the words of the only eyewitness. “Michael is not just a family member, he’s the complainant in the case. He was there when it happened. The incident lasted minutes – how do you expect anyone to stop and film something like that?” he told TOI Tuesday. “Instead of listening to the person who saw it unfold, they are issuing public statements without even completing the investigation.“ Faced with mounting questions, Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh clarified Tuesday that Michael’s complaint only mentioned “casteist slurs”. He said, “The family stayed in Dehradun until Dec 27 but did not mention racial slurs to the police…If they want to share additional information, we are open to including it in the probe.”If the family of Tripura native Anjel Chakma is saying this (racial slurs motive behind the murder) now, we are not aware of it. However, the case is still under investigation,” Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh said. Police were gathering all possible evidence to build a strong case before filing the chargesheet, he added. Dehradun police, citing ethnic background of some of the accused, had said they found no indication of racial provocation in the case. The family, still grieving, called this “premature and deeply dismissive”. Anjel, 24, and his younger brother Michael, were in Dehradun when they were allegedly attacked by a group of six men after objecting to their disruptive behaviour. According to Michael and other family members, the attackers shouted racial slurs – words like “chinki”, “Chinese”, and “momo” – before turning violent. Michael sustained injuries, and Anjel later died of his wounds. “It’s not just about one word or one insult,” Momen said. “It’s about whether our voices are even considered valid when we speak.” SSP Singh had on Monday pointed out that two of the six accused were from Manipur and Nepal, which, he said, made a racial motive unlikely. That reasoning has since triggered public criticism, particularly from members of North-East civil society and activists familiar with the region’s complex ethnic and linguistic diversity.
