NESO Demands Capital Punishment, Anti-Racism Law After Tripura Student’s Killing in Dehradun

The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has demanded capital punishment for those responsible for the killing of Tripura student Anjel Chakma in Dehradun, calling the incident a grave example of racial violence and systemic failure to protect people from the Northeast.

In a memorandum submitted to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday (December 30, 2025), NESO also urged the enactment of a dedicated anti-racism law, arguing that existing legal provisions have failed to deter repeated attacks rooted in racial prejudice.

Demand for Special Police Mechanisms

The apex student body of the Northeast further called for the establishment of at least one special police station in Uttarakhand exclusively to handle cases related to racial discrimination, hate crimes, and atrocities against people from the region.

NESO said such a mechanism is essential to ensure quicker response, sensitivity in investigations, and confidence among students and workers from the Northeast living outside their home states.

Details of the Assault

According to NESO, Anjel Chakma (24) and his brother Michael Chakma were assaulted and stabbed on December 9. Anjel later succumbed to his injuries on December 26, after battling for life for over two weeks.

The organisation alleged that the attack was racially motivated, claiming the brothers were abused and targeted because of their physical appearance. NESO said racial slurs were used during the assault, describing them as “demeaning and degrading.”

A Pattern of Racial Harassment

Condemning the killing, NESO said the incident was not an isolated case. Students and professionals from the Northeast, it noted, continue to face harassment, discrimination, and violence in different parts of India due to racial profiling and stereotypes.

The organisation appealed to the Uttarakhand government to intervene immediately and ensure mental, social, and physical security for students and residents from the Northeast living in Dehradun and across the state.

Calls for CBI Probe and Trial Shift

Separately, the All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) wrote to Chief Minister Dhami on Monday (December 29), demanding that the investigation into Anjel’s death be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The union also sought that the trial be shifted outside Uttarakhand—preferably to Delhi—citing concerns over impartiality and the safety of witnesses.

Father’s Appeal: ‘We Are Also Indians’

Anjel’s father, Tarun Prasad Chakma, made an emotional appeal to the authorities, urging stronger protection for people from the Northeast living in mainland India.

“My request is that what happened to my son should not happen to other children from the Northeast,” he said. “The Northeast is also a part of India. We are also Indians.”

Why the Case Matters

The killing has once again brought national attention to long-standing demands for a comprehensive legal framework to address racism and hate crimes in India. While advisory bodies and helplines exist, student groups argue that the absence of a specific anti-racism law weakens accountability and deterrence.

As pressure mounts from civil society, student organisations, and the victim’s family, the response of state and central authorities is being closely watched for signals of systemic reform and justice.