Agartala, Jan 1: Students from the Northeast came together in Dehradun on December 31 to stage a candlelight march condemning the killing of 24-year-old Anjel Chakma from Tripura and demanding justice, amid allegations that the attack was rooted in racial discrimination. The peaceful protest reflected growing anxiety among students from the region over their safety and treatment outside their home states.
The demonstration was organised by the Unified Tripura Students Association (UTSA) and drew participation from students enrolled in different educational institutions across the city. The march began at Gandhi Park, with participants carrying lit candles and placards as they walked towards Ghantaghar, Dehradun’s central clock tower. Students from other states also joined the rally in solidarity, amplifying the call against racism and violence.
Protesters held up photographs of Chakma and raised slogans such as “Stop Racism,” “We Are Indians,” and “We Want Justice,” asserting that the incident reflected a broader pattern of discrimination faced by people from the Northeast. UTSA Dehradun general secretary Churanta Tripura alleged that the police were reluctant to acknowledge the attack as racially motivated and accused authorities of attempting to tone down the seriousness of the case. He further claimed that police asked demonstrators to discontinue the march, citing traffic congestion linked to New Year celebrations, a move the students said deepened their frustration.
Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun, was allegedly assaulted on December 9 by a group of youths who used a knife and a brass knuckle. He sustained critical injuries and remained hospitalised for 17 days before succumbing on December 26. Family members and fellow students have consistently maintained that the attack followed racial abuse.
The Dehradun police, however, have rejected claims of racial motivation. Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh stated that the investigation so far has not established any evidence pointing to racism. He also noted that Dehradun is home to a large student population from across India, including more than 2,000 students from the Northeast, with approximately 250 from Tripura alone studying in the city.
