SHILLONG, Dec 30: Terming the killing of a Tripura student in Dehradun as an extreme manifestation of racial hatred against people from the Northeast, the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has urged the Uttarakhand government to ensure capital punishment for those responsible and to put stronger institutional safeguards in place. In a memorandum addressed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa conveyed the organisation’s condemnation of the incident, stating that such acts of violence reflect a persistent and serious threat faced by students and residents from the region across the country. NESO said incidents of harassment and attacks on people from the Northeast are not isolated, but part of a recurring pattern that demands urgent and exemplary action. It asserted that the gravity of the crime warranted the harshest punishment, including the death penalty, to send a clear message against racial violence. The organisation also called for structural measures, including the creation of at least one specialised police station to exclusively handle cases of racial discrimination and atrocities against people from the Northeast. It further pressed for the immediate enactment of a stringent anti-racism law to legally address racial hate crimes and ensure effective enforcement. NESO maintained that the assault was racially motivated, stating that the victims were targeted because they looked different from the local majority and were subjected to humiliating racial slurs. Angel Chakma, an MBA student, was attacked in Dehradun on December 9, after protesting against alleged racial abuse. He succumbed to his injuries on December 26 after undergoing treatment for nearly two weeks. His brother, Michael Chakma, was also assaulted in the same incident.

Stay connected with us on our social media platforms for latest news, updates and promotions.

Since 1945, The Shillong Times has evolved from a weekly tabloid to a prominent daily, launching regional editions and embracing technological advances, consistently delivering news that matters to Meghalaya and beyond.