Agartala, December 31:Tripura’s ruling BJP alliance partner, the Tipra Motha party, on Wednesday delivered a sharp and unprecedented attack on the government over the brutal killing of Angel Chakma in Dehradun, alleging ‘systemic racial discrimination and a complete failure of the Indian state to protect citizens from the Northeast’.
Addressing a press conference in Agartala, Tipra Motha spokesperson Anthony Debbarma strongly condemned the murder and raised serious questions about the role of the Uttarakhand Police.
In a scathing statement, Debbarma said that repeated incidents of violence, discrimination and killings of youths from the Northeast reflect deep-rooted racism within the state machinery.
“This is not the first time students from the Northeast have been murdered, raped or discriminated against. We want to ask the Government of India—does the Northeast belong to India? If it does not, then leave us alone. We know how to live by ourselves with dignity,” Debbarma said, sending a strong political message to the Centre.
Terming the killing of Angel Chakma as a case of “systematic racial violence,” the Tipra Motha leader alleged that such incidents amount to gross violations of human rights.
He said the continued targeting of Northeastern youths studying or working in other states exposes the failure of the Indian state to ensure their safety.
Debbarma, who is also an advocate in High Court here, demanded stringent punishment for those responsible and urged the Centre to enact a comprehensive anti-racism law to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.
“These incidents are not isolated. Racial violence against people from the Northeast must end, and only a strong anti-racism law can act as a deterrent,” he asserted.
Debbarma further said that the inability of the state to safeguard students and professionals from the Northeast travelling outside the region for education and employment reflects a serious governance failure.
Several senior Tipra Motha leaders, including former MLA Rajeshwar Debbarma and former TTAADC CEO C.K. Chakma, were present at the press conference. They claimed that it was only due to sustained protests demanding justice for Angel Chakma that the incident, though delayed, drew national attention.
The leaders also expressed concern over what they described as a rise in hate crimes in the country, calling it a serious human rights issue and a matter of national concern.
