New Delhi, Dec 29 (UNI): The Congress on Monday demanded swift justice for Tripura youth Angel Chakma, who succumbed to injuries after being brutally attacked in an alleged racial assault in Dehradun, accusing the authorities of grave lapses and seeking an immediate arrest of the prime accused who remains absconding.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said the incident reflected a disturbing pattern of racial profiling and violence against people from the North East. “Angel Chakma’s last words — ‘I am an Indian, I am not Chinese’ — are a tragic reminder of the prejudice faced by people from the North East. People of the North East are Indians, not Chinese,” Gogoi said.
The senior Congress leader demanded that the case be investigated in a time-bound manner and that the guilty be awarded the harshest punishment to send a strong message of zero tolerance for hate crimes. “This is not just about one individual. It is about the safety and dignity of thousands of students from the North East who travel across the country to pursue education,” he said.
Expressing grief over Chakma’s death, Gogoi noted that the young man had gone to Dehradun to study, like many students from the region. “He did receive education, but he also paid with his life. This should shake the conscience of the nation,” he remarked.
Raising serious questions over the police response, Gogoi said the unusual delay in registering the First Information Report (FIR) must be probed. Quoting Chakma’s family members, he said the FIR was registered nearly 12 days after the incident, giving the main accused sufficient time to flee. “Such delays erode trust in the system and deny timely justice to victims,” he said.
Gogoi also underlined the need for greater awareness and sensitivity about the North East, its people and its rich cultural heritage. Referring to Chakma’s hometown, he said Unakoti in Tripura is home to some of the country’s most ancient Shiva temples. “India must learn to respect its own diversity. Awareness about the history, culture, languages and literature of the North East is essential to end ignorance and prejudice,” he added.
The Congress said it would continue to press for accountability and justice in the case, reiterating that ensuring the safety of students and citizens from the North East across India is a national responsibility. UNI SKA SAS KK
