Agartala, Jan 3 (NationPress) The North-East Youth Congress Coordination Committee (NEYCCC) organized a significant torch rally in Agartala to protest against the tragic death of Tripura student Angel Chakma, who was brutally beaten in Dehradun and eventually succumbed to his injuries last December.

Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA final-year student hailing from Machmara in Tripura's Unakoti district, was reportedly attacked by a racially motivated mob in Uttarakhand's capital on December 9.

During the assault, the attackers allegedly shouted racial epithets at him.

He fought for his life for 18 days in a hospital before passing away on December 26.

The rally, featuring banners that read “Justice for Angel Chakma”, commenced at the state Congress Bhavan and traversed various areas of the capital.

NEYCCC leaders, including Tripura State Youth Congress President Neel Kamal Saha, called for the harshest penalties for those responsible for Chakma's death.

Earlier, a NEYCCC delegation, which included Youth Congress leaders from multiple northeastern states, visited Chakma's family in Unakoti district.

Saha mentioned that, upon the direction of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the NEYCCC delegation offered their support to the grieving family.

“We assured the family of our unwavering support during this challenging period. Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib also connected with Angel Chakma's parents via video call, promising them that our organization stands with them,” Saha informed the press.

He accused the assailants of labeling Angel as “Chinese” and violently attacking him, all while his father, a BSF jawan, was defending the nation's borders.

Meanwhile, prominent Bharatiya Janata Party figure from Uttarakhand and former Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay, who met with Chakma's family in Unakoti district on Friday, also demanded severe punishment for those accountable for the murder.

Vijay condemned the incident, asserting that those guilty must face exemplary punishment to prevent future occurrences.

He mentioned that Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has been in discussions with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the situation.

Vijay also proposed that Angel Chakma's younger brother, Michael Chakma, be given a government job in Tripura to ensure the family's financial security.

He suggested establishing a dedicated Northeast cell within the Uttarakhand Police to address issues related to racial discrimination and abuse.

Protests have been ongoing almost daily in Uttarakhand since the incident, Vijay noted.

Leader of BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP), Rajeshwar Debbarma, stated that the party is advocating for strict punishment for the offenders and the application of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

TMP leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma criticized the Uttarakhand government and police, claiming attempts to downplay the racial aspect of the crime.

“The assailants referred to Angel as 'Chinki', 'Chinese', and 'Momo', inflicting brutal violence upon him, while his father safeguarded our borders as a BSF soldier,” he expressed in a video message.

This incident has ignited widespread indignation throughout the Northeast.

Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha and Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and various organizations have denounced the attack as a “horrific hate crime”.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Tripura Congress President Ashish Kumar Saha, the National People's Party, the North East Students' Organisation, the All India Chakma Students' Union, the Manipuri Students' Federation, the Tripura Tribal Students' Union, and numerous other groups have also condemned the murder and demanded strict action against the perpetrators.