Angel Chakma’s killing in Dehradun sparks national outrage as CM Manik Saha seeks justice from Uttarakhand CM. Youth Tipra Federation urges Government of India to ensure safety and dignity of Northeast students across the country.
The tragic death of MBA student Angel Chakma has reignited national concern over the safety and dignity of students from India’s Northeast living outside their home states. Hours after Angel’s mortal remains were brought back to Tripura, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Saturday spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to seek details and justice in the case that has shaken the region.
Angel Chakma, a resident of Nandanagar under Debram Thakur Para in Tripura, was pursuing his MBA in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. On December 9, Angel and his brother Micheal Chakma were allegedly attacked by a group of intoxicated youths following a confrontation. According to eyewitness accounts, the incident escalated after the brothers protested against racial slurs hurled at them, reportedly targeting their ethnic identity and physical appearance.
During the violent assault, Angel was brutally stabbed while his brother also sustained injuries. Angel was initially treated in Dehradun before being shifted to a Bengaluru-based hospital as his condition deteriorated. Despite intensive medical care, he succumbed to his injuries on December 26, leaving his family, friends, and the wider Northeast community devastated.
Confirming his conversation with the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Dr Manik Saha shared details through a public statement. He said he discussed the incident in depth with Pushkar Singh Dhami, who assured him that swift and firm action was being taken. According to the information provided, five accused have already been arrested in connection with the case, and further investigation is ongoing.
“The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand assured that justice will be delivered,” Dr Saha stated, emphasizing that the Tripura government is closely monitoring developments. The Chief Minister also expressed condolences to Angel’s family and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of its citizens, irrespective of where they reside in the country.
Leaders of the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) and the Tipra Indigenous Students’ Federation, both frontal organizations of the Tipra Motha Party, were present at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala to receive Angel’s mortal remains. They later attended his funeral at his residence, standing in solidarity with the grieving family and demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Addressing the media, YTF leader Sajra Debbarma strongly condemned what he described as a persistent pattern of racial discrimination against people from the Northeast. He pointed out that derogatory terms and stereotypes are routinely used against students and professionals from the region, particularly in metropolitan and northern cities.
Debbarma asserted that such language and behavior are not isolated incidents but part of a larger social problem that undermines the constitutional promise of equality. “We are Indians, and our love for the nation is no less than that of any citizen from Delhi or any other part of the country,” he said, questioning why physical appearance is repeatedly used to cast doubt on the identity and patriotism of Northeast citizens.
| Also Read: CDFI demands fast track trial for Angel killers |
He further highlighted the deep sense of insecurity and alienation faced by Northeast students studying outside their home states. According to him, repeated incidents of harassment, abuse, and violence have created an environment of fear that affects academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being.
Calling for immediate intervention, Debbarma urged the Government of India to move beyond verbal assurances. He demanded strict, time-bound, and exemplary punishment for those involved in such crimes, along with the formulation of enforceable policies to prevent racial violence and discrimination.
“Mere statements are not enough anymore,” he said. “There must be concrete mechanisms, fast-track investigations, and visible accountability. Without strong action, such incidents will continue, and students from the Northeast will remain vulnerable.”
| Also Read: Tripura Student Dies After Brutal Racial Attack in Uttarakhand |
Civil society groups, student unions, and human rights activists have also echoed similar concerns, calling for nationwide awareness campaigns, stronger implementation of anti-discrimination laws, and sensitization programs in educational institutions and host states.
As the investigation continues, Angel Chakma’s death has become a symbol of a much larger struggle for dignity, equality, and safety. For many in the Northeast, the case is not just about justice for one student, but about ensuring that no young person is targeted or killed simply for who they are or where they come from.
