"You can't call us Indians as long as you treat us like outsiders", says DESAM on racist killing of Angel Chakma
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 05 2026: The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has expressed strong anguish and outrage over the alleged racist killing of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old student from Tripura, who succumbed to his injuries on December 25, 2025, after battling for his life for 16 days in a hospital in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

In a release issued on Monday, DESAM said the incident was not merely an isolated crime but a grim reflection of systemic racism, social exclusion and continued neglect faced by people from Northeast India.

According to the FIR, the incident occured on December 9, 2025, when Anjel Chakma and his brother were purchasing household Items in the Selakui locality of Dehradun.

A group of intoxicated men allegedly hurled racial and caste-based slurs at them.

When Anjel courageously objected to the abuse, the attackers reportedly turned violent and assaulted him with rods and knives, leaving him criticaUy injured.

DESAM stated that the severity and brutality of the attack highlighted the deep-rooted prejudice faced by people from the Northeast, who are often subjected to racial profiling, verbal abuse, physical violence and social alienation despite being citizens of the Indian Union.

"Derogatory remarks, stereotyping, and questioning of their 'Indianness' have become normalized experiences for Northeastern people living, studying, or working outside their home States", it added.

DESAM stated that the tragic death of Anjel Chakma has exposed the failure of society and institutions to ensure safety, dignity, and equality for all citizens.

"It raises urgent questions about the lack of public sensitivity, the inadequacy of preventive measures, and the slow pace of justice in cases involving racial violence against people from Northeast India", it added.

DESAM strongly condemned the racist attack and demanded immediate, transparent, and time-bound justice for Anjel Chakma.

Calling for the arrest and prosecution of all accused under the strictest provisions of the law, DESAM urged the Uttarakhand Government and Central authorities to ensure accountability at every level of the investigation and to provide adequate support & compensation to the bereaved family.

Furthermore, DESAM urged the Government of India to recognise racism against Northeastern people as a serious national issue; and called for sustained awareness campaigns, inclusion of antiracism education in academic curricula, sensitisation of law enforcement agencies, and the establishment of strong institutional mechanisms to address discrimination and hate crimes.

"Anjel Chakma's life cannot be brought back, but justice for him can become a turning point.

His death must not be reduced to another statistic", it added.

Expressing solidarity with the victim's family and the people of the Northeast, DESAM said "Justice for Anjel Chakma is justice for the Northeast.

Racism has no place in the world" .

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