New Delhi/Agartala, Dec 29 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, the Chief Minister of Mizoram, and several organizations, expressed their outrage on Monday over the brutal attack and tragic demise of Tripura student Angel Chakma in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. They labeled the incident a “horrific hate crime” and called for severe punishment for those responsible.

Officials and family sources reported that the 24-year-old student, whose father is a Border Security Force (BSF) constable, passed away on December 26 after succumbing to his injuries in a Dehradun hospital.

Angel, a member of the Chakma tribal community, sustained serious injuries from an attack on December 9, during which the assailants allegedly hurled racial slurs at him.

LoP Rahul Gandhi extended his condolences to the victim's family, voicing his concerns on his official X account. He stated, “The incident involving Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael is a horrific hate crime. Such hatred does not arise overnight; it has been nurtured over time, particularly among our youth, through toxic narratives and irresponsible rhetoric, which is being normalized by the hate-filled leadership of the ruling BJP.”

Rahul Gandhi emphasized that India is founded on principles of respect and unity, not fear and hostility.

“We are a nation built on love and diversity. We cannot become a society that turns a blind eye while our fellow Indians are victimized. We must reflect on and confront the reality we are allowing our country to become. My thoughts are with the Chakma family and the people of Tripura and the Northeast. We are proud to consider you our fellow Indian brothers and sisters,” he added.

Tarun Prasad Chakma, the father of Angel, expressed his grief over his son’s murder, stating that such tragedies should not befall others and demanding strict penalties for the attackers.

Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Tripura Pradesh Congress, and numerous student and youth organizations have all condemned the killing of the Tripura student in Uttarakhand.

In a post on his X account, Chief Minister Lalduhoma remarked: “I am deeply saddened by the death of a student from Tripura in Dehradun. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family.”

“This tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals from the Northeast in various parts of mainland India. Discrimination and racial bias are antithetical to our Constitution, and the rule of law must ensure justice prevails,” Lalduhoma added.

Expressing his profound sorrow over the tragic killing of Angel Chakma, former Chief Minister Biren Singh stated on X, “Racism, discrimination, and animosity towards people from the Northeast have persisted for far too long. This distressing event should remind those outside the Northeast that it is not a remote part of India; it is India.”

“The people of the Northeast have contributed significantly to the country across various fields, from defense and sports to arts, education, and public service. It is high time the rest of the nation transcends stereotypes and recognizes the Northeast as a cornerstone of India’s unity and strength. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family. May they find solace amid this immense loss, and may justice be served,” Biren Singh concluded.

Demanding stringent punishment for the perpetrators, Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi quoted Angel Chakma’s remarks made during the incident, saying, “I am an Indian, I am not Chinese,” asserting that the people of the Northeast are indeed Indians, not outsiders.

Gogoi insisted that the case must be investigated promptly, and the guilty should face the harshest penalties to send a clear message across the country that there is zero tolerance for such crimes.

He urged for increased awareness regarding the history, culture, languages, and literature of the Northeast.

Gogoi noted that Unakoti in Tripura, Angel Chakma's hometown, is home to some of the ancient Shiva temples. He acknowledged that students from the Northeast travel throughout the country for education, and Angel Chakma had moved to Dehradun for the same reason.

“He sought education but tragically paid with his life,” he lamented, expressing sorrow over Angel's death.

Gogoi also demanded an investigation into the delay in filing the FIR, stating that it was lodged 12 days after the incident, giving the main suspect ample time to abscond.

The All India Chakma Students’ Union (AICSU) has reached out to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, requesting the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the relocation of the trial outside of Uttarakhand, preferably to Delhi, in the case of the racially motivated attack and murder of Angel Chakma, an MBA student.

The AICSU stated that the family of the deceased has lost faith in the Uttarakhand Police due to significant procedural errors, including a three-day delay in filing the FIR despite the incident occurring on December 9, and repeated refusals by the Selakui Police to register the complaint until after three days.

The FIR was only filed after pressure from the AICSU, with initial attempts to downplay the crime by depicting it as a “fight” while ignoring racial abuse elements.

Tripura Pradesh Congress President Ashish Saha, along with the Manipuri Students’ Federation, Tripura’s Tribal Student Union, and numerous other organizations, have also vocally condemned the murder and demanded accountability for the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K Sangma, along with the National People’s Party (NPP), have also denounced the killing and demanded punishment for the attackers.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Saha spoke with his Uttarakhand counterpart, Pushkar Singh Dhami, regarding the incident. Dhami informed Saha that five suspects have been arrested and placed in judicial custody, with further investigations ongoing.

Tipra Motha Party leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma demanded immediate and exemplary punishment for those responsible and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to the capture of the main suspect, who has reportedly fled to Nepal.

Various youth and student organizations held a candlelight vigil in Agartala on Sunday to protest the brutal attack and subsequent death of Angel Chakma in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.