Tripura student killed in Dehradun racial attack was assaulted with kada, knives; suffered right-side paralysis

Anjel Chakma succumbed to his injuries on December 26. (Courtesy: Facebook/Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBarma)

Anjel Chakma, the MBA student from Tripura who died after sustaining critical injuries during a violent racial attack in Dehradun, was reportedly attacked with knives and kada.

According to a photograph accessed by News18, a kada was allegedly used during the attack adding a disturbing new dimension to the case. Anjel sustained serious injuries to his head, neck and back after he tried to step in to stop a racially-motivated attack on his brother, Michael.

"Anjel's neck was broken in the attack, which led to his death," said his father Tarun Chakma who described the attack as brutal. Tarun, who is a BSF jawan posted in Manipur, recounted that Anjel was trying to defend his brother when he was attacked with knives and the kada, which ultimately caused fatal injuries.

The incident took place on December 9 in Dehradun's Selakui area when Anjel and his brother Michael were confronted by a group of intoxicated men.

There was a laceration on Anjel's back and another on the occipital region of his head, as per India Today which cited the medical report from Graphic Era Hospital. The 24-year-old collapsed at the scene after being struck on his head and back and was rushed to Graphic Era Hospital, where he remained under treatment for over 17 days before succumbing to his injuries on December 26.

"Multiple abrasions were noted on his foot, while power on the right side of his body was completely lost, in both upper and lower limbs, with accompanying sensory deficits. There were injuries to his spinal cord and fissures in the brain," it added.

Uttarakhand Police have so far arrested five individuals in connection with the attack - Suraj Khwas (22) from Manipur, Avinash Negi (25), and Sumit (25) and two juveniles. Another accused is reportedly absconding in Nepal. A reward of Rs 25,000 has been announced for information leading to the arrest of the fugitive, and a team has been dispatched to Nepal in an effort to bring him to justice.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said he spoke with his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Singh Dhami, who assured strict action against the guilty. "I spoke with Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding this matter. He has assured me that he will ensure that justice is served. Five people have been arrested, and one or two more are probably still at large, and they will be apprehended soon. I said that there shouldn’t be any gaps in the investigation. He assured me that they will deliver justice, and they have already arrested five people," Saha said.