NEMF Slams Racist Murder of Tripura Student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun; Demands Swift Justice Amid Rising Northeast Bias
On December 9, Angel Chakma and his brother Michael Chakma were allegedly attacked by a group of six individuals in the Selaqui area of Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 29: The North East Media Forum (NEMF) has expressed its strong disapproval of the racially motivated and brutal assault on 24 year old Tripura student Angel Chakma, who died of his injuries after a long fight for life in the ICU of a private hospital in Dehradun.
Brutal Assault on Brothers
Anjel Chakma and his brother, Michel, got into an argument with some local men and another man from the northeast, who allegedly used racial slurs. When the brothers objected, a fight broke out between them, during which it is reported that they were attacked with knives and other blunt objects.
It is alleged that Michael was hit on the head, while Anjel was stabbed in the neck and abdomen. Anjel Chakma passed away on December 26.
NEMF Condemns Recurring Racial Violence
Expressing its deepest sympathies and support to the grieving family, the North East Media Forum also observed with apprehension that the demise of Angel Chakma due to violent assault is only one instance of a recurring trend of racial violence and discrimination against the people of the Northeast in different parts of the country.
NEMF imposed its wishes for a quick, clear, and time limited investigation; the use of the correct provisions for hate crimes; and a very good example of the punishment of the people who were responsible for the crime.
NESO Leader Highlights Diversity Backlash
Rishikesh Baruah, the leader of the North East Students Association, highlighted the country's diversity and how the student from Tripura was asked to show "he can speak Hindi".
"They shouldn't have made those remarks. We are a diverse country. There are multiple languages and tribes. When they went out to the market, the Hindi they were speaking wasn't accurate, so the people they encountered commented, "These people aren't from India, show us you can speak Hindi." So my two brothers went to support them, saying that they were indeed from India. During this exchange, an argument broke out between them, which escalated so much that someone took a knife and stabbed him three times," he said.
Minister Scindia's Strong Rebuke and Arrests
Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, deeply shocked by the very brutal attack on Anjel Chakma, described the event as a serious blow to humanity and lack of sensitivity.
"The inhuman incident involving Anjel Chakma and Michel from Tripura in Dehradun has deeply distressed and shocked me. This is not merely a criminal incident, but a profound blow to humanity and sensitivity. I understand the unbearable grief of the victims' family and stand with them in this difficult time,” he posted on X.
Police Arrest Five, Hunt Fugitive Nepali
Five people have been arrested by the police in connection with the murder, while one accused, a Nepali national, has crossed the border, police said.
According to the police, a case was filed based on the complaint of Chakma's brother, Michel. They went to the market in the evening of December 9. While the two were buying some household items, a few drunk men started using caste- based slurs against the victim.
