Racist attacks against Northeast Indians are neither new nor eradicated; if at all, they have started to manifest in different forms, despite laws against hate crimes. The stabbing of the two brothers, Anjel and Michael Chakma, in Dehradun, which left Anjel dead and Michael in critical condition, is an example of the still living and breathing hatred.
On December 9, the brothers were stabbed by several men, including Yagya Raj Awasthi, Sumit, and two juveniles. The group was going to a birthday party, and even after they stabbed the two men, they continued with their business, bought booze, and went to the party. Police confirmed that as Michael struggled to take Anjel to the hospital, the group went ahead to the liquor shop and bought liquor.
Anjel died on 26 December after succumbing to the fatal injuries from his head to his spine. The murder has led to widespread protest and grief in Uttarakhand and the Northeast, as Anjel was from Tripura. Racist slurs like ‘Chinese’ and ‘momos’ were used against him before the stabbing.
Police have been deployed to find Awsthi, who is claimed to have run to Nepal, from where he belongs. The Dehradun Senior Superintendent of police, Ajay Singh, has, however, said that there is “prima facie” no evidence of a Racist attack. He further said that there was a conflict which led to the injury to the victim who died during his treatment, but there is no confirmation that Racist slurs were used.
Three accused have already been sent to judicial custody, while the two juveniles have been taken to correctional homes. FIRs under several sections, including murder and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Act, were registered against the accused. The police, however, confirmed that three accused belonging to the SC/ST community will not be charged under the act.
