SIT Formed to Probe Tripura Student's Death; Police Say No Evidence So Far of Racial Abuse

PTI, DEHRADUN, DEC 30: Dehradun Police has constituted an SIT to investigate the killing of Tripura student Anjel Chakma here, even as they said the probe so far has found no evidence of racial abuse. Police said the youth was assaulted after tempers flared up when he objected to some "banter" among the attackers who had come in a group to a liquor shop.

In a press conference, Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh said police are very close to apprehending the man who allegedly stabbed Anjel in Nepal. "The complete truth behind the incident will only be known after the arrest of the main accused (Yagyraj) Awasthi, who stabbed Anjel," he said.

An SIT has been constituted under the leadership of an officer of the rank of Circle Officer. He said that the investigation conducted so far has been transferred to the SIT, which will ensure that no aspect is overlooked.

Singh said the police had taken note of social media posts attributing a racial motive to the incident. "Our investigations so far have found no evidence of racial discrimination or violence," the SSP said. He added that between December 9, the day of the incident, and December 26, when Anjel died, no complaints of racial abuse were made during interactions with the police.

The SSP further stated that the FIR filed in the case "does not mention any allegations of racial bias." While the complainant had mentioned the use of "casteist slurs" against the brothers, the investigation revealed that "two of the accused themselves belong to the Scheduled Tribe community."

Providing details of the incident that occurred in the Selaqui area, Singh said a birthday party was hosted on December 9 by one of the accused, Manipur-native Suraj Khwas. Singh said police have collected all CCTV footage related to the incident, all of which happened in a crowded place within 40-50 seconds around 6:15 pm on December 9.

The SSP said the two groups, including the deceased and his brother on one side, and the six persons on the other, had a heated argument. In the confusion, the dispute escalated and led to the incident. The police officer stated that the accused and the victim did not know each other, and the attack happened "in the heat of the moment."