Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has made a strong appeal for establishing a special police unit dedicated to the safety of people from the Northeast across India. This demand comes in the wake of the tragic death of Anjel Chakma, an MBA student from Tripura, in Dehradun.
Minister's Anguish and Nationwide Concern
Visibly disturbed by the incident, Rijiju, while speaking to PTI, expressed profound sadness and anger. He emphasized that the issue should not be confined to the Northeast region alone but must be seen as a national concern. "The incident that happened in Dehradun, a student from the Northeast died, we are very sad. There is anger as well," the minister stated. He questioned the regional isolation of the grief, asserting, "Why only Northeast? The whole country should be sad."
Call for Societal Sensitization and Special Police Force
Rijiju urged for widespread societal sensitization towards racial attacks. Highlighting the effectiveness of the existing special unit in Delhi, he proposed replicating the model nationwide. "When PM Modi swore in as the Prime Minister, 20-40 incidents were normal, but with the Delhi special unit established, the number of incidents decreased," he pointed out, underscoring the unit's success in curbing racial hate crimes.
The minister acknowledged the immediate action taken by the Uttarakhand government, noting that vigilance was increased and probably five people have been arrested in connection with the case. He firmly stated that the safety of Northeastern citizens is not a political issue but a fundamental requirement for their protection.
A Path Forward: Awareness and Institutional Support
Rijiju expressed confidence that raising proper awareness is key to tackling this deep-seated problem. His push for a dedicated institutional mechanism—a special police force—aims to provide concrete security and a swift response system for people from the Northeast living in various parts of the country. The minister's demand reframes the safety of Northeastern communities from a regional subject to a pressing national priority requiring structured intervention.
