Dehradun: Uttarakhand Police have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the fatal assault of a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, authorities announced Tuesday.

Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh said the task force, led by SP (Rural) Pankaj Gairola, was established to investigate the death of Anjel Chakma. The student was attacked by a group using knives and blunt instruments on Dec. 9 and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

Law enforcement officials have arrested five suspects in connection with the killing. A massive manhunt is underway for a sixth individual, identified as Yagya Raj Awasthi. Police Headquarters has offered a 100,000-rupee ($1,200) reward for information that leads to Awasthi’s capture.

Investigators have seized CCTV footage from the location of the attack and upgraded the initial charges to include attempted murder under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

"Along with that, a supplementary report was taken, in which the sections were increased," SSP Singh said. "Sections of the attempt to murder (109) were added on the basis of statements. In the meantime, a separate team was formed, and five people were arrested. The sixth accused was of Nepali origin. He left the place the next day after the incident. For this, a dedicated team has been set up. According to the information so far, the accused may be hiding in nearby bordering areas."

The SSP confirmed that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been briefed on the investigation's progress. Police have also formally recorded statements from Chakma’s family members.

The case has sparked regional outrage. On Tuesday, members of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) organised a candlelight march in New Delhi to demand justice for the victim.

Authorities believe the final suspect, whom they identified as being of Nepali origin, fled the area the day after the assault and may be seeking refuge in districts bordering Nepal.

With inputs from ANI