The North East Students’ Organisation (Neso) has made a strong appeal to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding capital punishment for those involved in the brutal assault on Tripura youth Anjel Chakma in Dehradun. This call for justice follows a tragic incident that has highlighted the persistent issue of racial violence faced by people from India's northeastern states in other parts of the country.
A Fatal Assault Rooted in Prejudice
In a disturbing case of alleged racial violence, 24-year-old Anjel Chakma was stabbed on December 9. He succumbed to his injuries on December 26 while undergoing treatment. His brother, Micheal Chakma, was also assaulted during the same attack. According to the memorandum submitted by Neso, the assailants targeted the brothers solely because of their physical appearance, which differed from what they described as "the rest of the Aryan race." The attackers reportedly hurled demeaning and degrading racial abuses at the victims.
Neso's Vehement Condemnation and Demands
In its communication to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Neso expressed its vehement condemnation of the atrocity. The organization pointed out that people from the northeast have repeatedly faced such harassment in various Indian cities, incidents that have often turned fatal. The memorandum stated, "Neso vehemently condemns such atrocities perpetrated against the North East people... people from the northeast have been facing these kind of harassments in different parts of India which in many cases have proved to be fatal."
The student body has demanded the "capital punishment to the perpetrators of the heinous crime" at the earliest. Beyond seeking justice for Anjel Chakma, Neso has called for the "urgent intervention" of CM Dhami. They urge him to ensure that appropriate authorities implement effective measures to guarantee the "mental, social and physical security" of students and residents from the Northeast who are studying and living in Dehradun and other parts of Uttarakhand.
Broader Implications for Security and Inclusion
This tragic event in Dehradun has reignited concerns about the safety and well-being of citizens from the northeastern region when they migrate to other states for education and employment. Neso's appeal underscores a critical need for systemic action to combat racial profiling and violence. It calls for more than just legal proceedings in individual cases; it demands a concerted effort from state administrations to foster an environment of inclusivity and security, ensuring that such fatal attacks are prevented in the future.
The demand for the death penalty marks a significant escalation in the call for justice, reflecting the gravity of the crime and the deep-seated frustrations over recurring violence. The response from the Uttarakhand government to Neso's demands will be closely watched as a indicator of its commitment to protecting all citizens equally under the law.
