Tripura protests erupt over death of Anjel Chakma, demanding justice, safety for Northeast people

Protests erupted across Tripura by various indigenous student and youth organizations over the death of Anjel Chakma, demanding strict action against the criminals and immediate intervention by the Ministry of Home Affairs to address rising racial violence against North East people.

Angel Chakma died following an alleged racial attack in Dehradun. The MBA student and his brother Michael were reportedly attacked by a group of men near a liquor shop on December 9. According to reports, the altercation began after the attackers allegedly passed racial remarks. Anjel later succumbed to his injuries on Friday.

Today, the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) held a candlelight march rally in Agartala, demanding the safety of North East people.

Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) president Suraj Debbarma said that this is a very sad moment for them, as on 9th December the incident occurred in Dehradun, and yesterday the body of Angel Chakma arrived in Tripura.

“Because of racism, he had to die. Racism has been going on in the country, and North East people are the victims. People call us Chinese, Momo, Chinky. This is why we have lost one of our brothers. Today one brother has died; next time, someone else from another North East state could be the victim. I want to ask the Government of India, for how many more days do we have to face such things? We are demanding strict action against those who are committing such acts,” said Suraj.

He also stated that when people from the North East go to Delhi, Kolkata, or other states, they are addressed as Chinese, Momo, and are accused of eating dogs, snakes, and scorpions.

“These are the things we are facing. We want to request the Government of India that if you love the Janajatis, you should know how to protect them. Come to the North East we have rich culture, rich heritage, and many things in the region. Do we need to prove ourselves with extra certificates that we are Indians? We have Aadhaar, voter IDs, and we are Indian. We belong to India, not China,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Tripura Chakma Students' Association (TCSA) announced a deputation to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha over the death of the student following the racist attack.

The Tripura Chakma Students' Association (TCSA) held a press conference on Sunday  announced a candlelight vigil on December 29 at 4:30 p.m. in Agartala city and the submission of a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Tripura on December 30 at 10 a.m., demanding justice and accountability.

Members of TCSA highlighted police negligence and called for stronger protections for Northeast students, stressing that the upcoming demonstrations aim to ensure justice and raise awareness against discrimination.

Meanwhile, the Twipra Students Federation (TSF), part of the North East Students Organisation (NESO), strongly condemned the brutal racial attack and murder of Lt. Angel Chakma.

“We want to clearly warn the Government of India that this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of racial violence against Northeast students have occurred repeatedly in different parts of the country. The continued silence, negligence, and failure to take strict action have emboldened perpetrators and normalized hatred against Indigenous and Northeastern communities,” said the TSF.

The student body demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment for all those involved in the murder, investigation under strict sections related to murder, hate crime, and racial discrimination, accountability of local administration and law enforcement for failing to prevent such incidents, concrete safety mechanisms and protection policies for Northeast students across India, and immediate intervention by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Government of India to address rising racial violence.