Manik Saha to Take Up Angel Chakma Killing with Dhami
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Jan 14, 2026
- 1390
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Wednesday reaffirmed his resolve to pursue justice in the killing of Tripura student Angel Chakma, stating that he would once again raise the matter with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to ensure an accelerated and transparent investigation.
Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA final-year student, was fatally assaulted in Dehradun in what has been widely described as a racially motivated attack. Earlier in the day, Dr Saha visited the bereaved family at their residence in Nandan Nagar on the outskirts of Agartala, where he conveyed his deepest condolences and assured them of unwavering support from the Tripura government.
Sharing details on his official X handle, the Chief Minister said he had personally met Angel’s parents and family members and reiterated the state government’s commitment to stand by them in their pursuit of justice. He further underlined his intention to engage directly with the Uttarakhand Chief Minister to expedite the probe.
Addressing the media later, Dr Saha disclosed that he would be travelling to New Delhi on January 18 to attend a two-day conference of Chief Ministers scheduled for January 19–20. He said the sidelines of the meeting would provide an opportunity to once again take up the issue with his Uttarakhand counterpart. Dr Saha added that CM Dhami had earlier informed him that five accused had already been arrested, while a monetary reward had been announced to facilitate the arrest of the remaining accused. “I have been in constant communication with the Uttarakhand government since the incident,” he said.
According to the Chief Minister, the attackers initially targeted Angel’s younger brother, Michael Chakma. When Angel intervened to shield him, he was brutally assaulted on December 9 in Dehradun. After fighting for his life for 18 days, Angel succumbed to his injuries on December 26.
The Tripura government has extended an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the family and is considering additional measures of assistance. The Uttarakhand government has provided ₹4.12 lakh, while the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) has sanctioned ₹3 lakh as financial aid.
The family has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case. The incident sparked widespread outrage across all eight northeastern states, drawing sharp reactions from Chief Ministers and political leaders cutting across party lines, including the BJP, Congress, Tipra Motha Party and Left parties, all of whom have called for the strictest punishment for those responsible.
Public anger has also found expression through candlelight vigils, torch rallies and protest demonstrations in Agartala and several other locations.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader from Uttarakhand and former Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay recently met Angel Chakma’s family and demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators to send a strong deterrent message. He also suggested that Angel’s younger brother, Michael Chakma, be offered a government job in Tripura to secure the family’s financial future and proposed the creation of a dedicated Northeast cell within the Uttarakhand Police to effectively address incidents of racial abuse and discrimination.