The father of Angel Chakma, a student from Tripura who died in Dehradun, said his son was “brutally attacked” with knives and blunt objects. He said the attack happened when Angel tried to protect his younger brother after the attackers hurled racial slurs and called them “Chinese.”
Angel’s father, Tarun Chakma, a BSF jawan currently posted in Tangjeng in Manipur, alleged that the police initially refused to register a complaint. He claimed an FIR was filed only two to three days later, after pressure from the All India Chakma Students Union and intervention by senior officers.
The attackers abused his sons by calling them “Chinese momo” and using other racial slurs, Tarun Chakma stated. He said Angel told them that he was Indian and not Chinese, but the attackers then assaulted him with knives and blunt objects.
Angel Chakma, an MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, died on Friday after battling for his life in hospital for 17 days.
Police said the 24-year-old suffered serious injuries to his head and back. They said he was allegedly attacked with a sharp object and a ‘kadaa’ (bracelet) after a quarrel with five to six people at a canteen on December 9.
Five people have been apprehended in the case, police said. Another accused, who is from Nepal, is suspected to have fled to his home country.
Calling it a brutal murder, Tarun Chakma said his son’s neck was broken during the attack, which ultimately caused his death. He demanded strict punishment for those responsible. “I have lost my son. Now he should get justice,” he said. Angel’s last rites were performed in Machmara village in Tripura’s Unakoti district. Tarun said Angel was a final-year MBA student and had also secured a good job.
According to Tarun, his sons Angel and Michael had gone to the market when a scooter and a motorcycle carrying six people stopped near them. He said Angel was sitting on his motorcycle, while Michael was standing nearby. One of the accused allegedly said something to Michael and suddenly pushed him to the ground. When Angel objected, the group began abusing him.
Tarun said the attackers again called Angel “Chinese momo” and used other racial slurs. “After that, they brutally attacked him with knives and blunt objects, causing severe injuries to his neck and back,” he said.
On Saturday, Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh told mediapersons that the group of six accused were allegedly arguing among themselves. “It appeared that someone made a comment about him (Angel),” he said.
The SSP said a fight broke out amid the confusion, and Angel was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon and a ‘kadaa’. Police said he was taken to hospital in a serious condition but succumbed to his injuries during treatment on Friday.
Police said a complaint was filed by the victim’s side on December 10, following which a case was registered and an investigation began. On December 14, police arrested three accused and detained two minors in connection with the case.
Also Read: Tripura student’s death: Those involved will not be spared: Dhami
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