NESO demands capital punishment, anti-racism law after killing of Tripura student in Dehradun

DIMAPUR — The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has demanded capital punishment for those responsible for the killing of a 24-year-old student from Tripura in Dehradun, along with the enactment of a stringent anti-racism law and the establishment of a special police station to deal with racial discrimination cases.

In a memorandum addressed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday, NESO called for urgent intervention following the assault and subsequent death of Anjel Chakma, who was allegedly beaten and stabbed on December 9 and died on December 26 after undergoing treatment for over two weeks.

The student body also sought the setting up of at least one special police station to handle cases related to racial discrimination and atrocities against people from the North East, particularly students residing in Uttarakhand.

NESO further pressed for the enactment of a specific law against racial discrimination, proposing an Anti-Racism Act to address what it described as recurring incidents targeting people from the region in different parts of the country.

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The organisation said the attack on Chakma and the assault on his brother reflected a broader pattern of harassment faced by people from the North East outside the region, often involving racial abuse and, in some cases, fatal violence.

Stating that the incident has caused fear and insecurity among students and residents from the North East in Uttarakhand, NESO urged the state government to take effective measures to ensure their mental, social and physical security.

The memorandum was jointly submitted by NESO constituent bodies, including the Khasi Students’ Union, All Assam Students’ Union, Naga Students’ Federation, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, Twipra Students’ Federation, All Manipur Students’ Union, Garo Students’ Union and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union.