UKHRUL: The All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau Of Investigation and suggested a transfer of the “racially motivated case” involving the death of Angel Chakma to Delhi as the family of the deceased has “Lost faith in Uttrarakhand police,” The Hindu reported.
About the case
Angel Chakma (24) an MBA student and son of a Border Security Force (BSF) Constable was attacked by a group of miscreants on December 9 and was left gravely injured. He succumbed to his injuries and passed away on December 25.
Michael Chakma, the brother of the deceased alleged the attackers harassed them because of their appearance and shouted racial slurs.
Uttarakhand Police response
In retaliation to the crime being racially motivated, investigator PD Bhatt told Hindustan Times, “We have found no evidence so far to link the incident with racism. There is no basis for such allegations.”
According to police, Angel and Michael got into an argument with Suraj Khawas, a resident of Manipur and five of his friends at Selakui market. Angel was allegedly attacked by the accused with knives and brass knuckles, following which he was rushed to the hospital.
Upon investigation, five of the six of the people allegedly involved were arrested on December 14. They have been identified as Avinash Negi, Shaurya Rajput, Sumit, Ayush Badoni from Uttarakhand and Suraj Khawas from Manipur while Yagyaraj Awasthi, the prime accused from Nepal is absconding Free Press Journal reported. A reward of 25,000 is announced for the absconding accused and a team has been sent to the neighboring country.
A police told NDTV that derogatory remarks made ‘in jest” created a false impression that the student was being targeted. “It does not fall into the category of a racist comment because a young man involved in the incident is also a resident of the same state.” Ajay Singh Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, was quoted by NDTV.
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AICSU
The AICSU on Monday (December 29) wrote to the Chief Minister expressing disappointment over how the case is being handled. In the initial stage, a three-day delay followed in registering the First Information Report (FIR) as the Selakui police station personnel had refused to register the complaint on multiple occasions. The police also failed to implement appropriate Sections of Law.
The AICSU also raised concerns over attempts by senior police officials to dilute the crime by portraying it as a fight while ignoring racial abuse and lapses by the hospital authorities, considering Angel’s condition the private hospital did not inform the police immediately as required in a medico-legal case.
North East Media Forum
NEMF demanded a swift, transparent, and time-bound investigation, invocation of appropriate provisions dealing with hate crimes, and exemplary punishment for all those responsible.
The NEMF also reiterated its long-standing demand for the immediate and full implementation of the Bezbaruah Committee Report, constituted to address racism, discrimination, and violence against people from the Northeast.
ALSO READ: Angel Chakma Murder Case: NEMF Demands Immediate Implementation of Bezbaruah Committee Report
Disclaimer: All information in this article is drawn from publicly available sources and/or insights provided by the experts consulted.