The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Dehradun district magistrate and the senior superintendent of police in connection with the alleged racially motivated killing of a student from Tripura in Uttarakhand’s capital. The authorities have been asked to submit an action taken report within seven days.
The commission has also directed that copies of the proceedings be sent to the Uttarakhand chief secretary and the director general of police, while asking the state administration to ensure the safety of students from the North-Eastern region across Uttarakhand.
The victim, Anjel Chakma (24), was a final-year MBA student at a private university in Dehradun. He was allegedly attacked by a group of youths on December 9 and remained hospitalised for 17 days before succumbing to his injuries on December 26. The assault reportedly involved the use of knives and blunt weapons.
According to Anjel’s father, a Border Security Force jawan currently posted in Tangjeng, Manipur, the incident took place when his son intervened to protect his younger brother, who was allegedly subjected to racial abuse. The attackers reportedly used slurs such as “Chinese” and “Chinese momo”. When Anjel objected and asserted that he was an Indian citizen, he was allegedly assaulted, the father stated.
Taking cognisance of the complaint under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, an NHRC bench headed by member Priyank Kanoongo observed that the allegations pointed to a racially motivated attack on a student from the North-East studying outside his home state.
The proceedings note that the victim was targeted with racial slurs and assaulted after asserting his national identity. The complaint further highlights what it describes as deep-seated racial discrimination against people from the North-East, along with alleged lapses by local authorities in preventing violence and ensuring protection.
Terming the incident a prima facie violation of the victim’s right to life, dignity and equality, the commission directed its registry to seek a detailed report from the district administration and police authorities in Dehradun within a week.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday spoke to the victim’s father and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. Leaders from various political parties have also called for sustained and effective measures to address hate crimes targeting people from the North-Eastern states.