The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stepped into the alleged racially motivated killing of a student from Tripura in Uttarakhand's capital, Dehradun. The commission has issued notices to the Dehradun District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police, demanding a detailed investigation and a report within a week.
Commission Takes Cognisance of Alleged Hate Crime
The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the incident under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. A bench presided by member Priyank Kanoongo found the complaint prima facie indicative of a serious human rights violation. The commission has directed the local authorities to thoroughly investigate the allegations mentioned in the complaint and submit an Action Taken Report within seven days.
Furthermore, the NHRC has asked for a copy of the case proceedings to be sent to the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. In a significant directive, the commission has also ordered the authorities to ensure the safety of students from the North Eastern region across the entire state.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim, identified as Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, was attacked on December 9. According to his father, a BSF jawan posted in Manipur, the altercation began when the assailants racially abused Anjel's brother, calling him "Chinese." When Anjel intervened to defend his brother and asserted his Indian identity, the attackers allegedly turned on him.
The assailants are said to have used racial slurs like "Chinese momo" before attacking Anjel with knives and blunt objects. He sustained severe injuries and was hospitalized for 17 days before succumbing to his wounds on December 26.
Nationwide Outrage and Political Response
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and brought the issue of racial discrimination against people from India's North-Eastern states back into sharp focus. The complaint to the NHRC stated that the event reflects deep-rooted racial discrimination, failure of local authorities to prevent violence, and a lack of adequate protection mechanisms.
On Monday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to the grieving father and assured him of strict punishment for the accused. Leaders from across the political spectrum have called for concerted efforts to end such hate crimes against people from the northeastern region of the country.
The NHRC's intervention underscores the gravity of the case, treating it as a severe infringement of the victim's fundamental right to life, dignity, and equality. The commission's swift notice places the onus on the Dehradun administration to deliver justice and demonstrate concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
