Agartala, Dec 28 (NationPress) A coalition of youth and student organizations staged a candlelight vigil in Agartala on Sunday to voice their outrage over the horrific assault and tragic death of Tripura student Angel Chakma in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

As reported, the 24-year-old student, whose father serves as a constable in the Border Security Force (BSF), died from his injuries on December 26 at a Dehradun hospital. He had sustained severe injuries after being attacked by a gang of miscreants on December 9.

The candle march, spearheaded by the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) along with various other organizations, commenced at Swami Vivekananda Stadium and traversed multiple areas of the city. Participants called upon the government to implement stringent laws aimed at safeguarding individuals from the Northeast residing in different regions across the country, especially in northern India.

Suraj Debbarma, President of the youth wing of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), emphasized that numerous youths from the Northeast have previously endured severe assaults and racial discrimination in various states, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced protections.

The incident has also drawn significant condemnation from Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and his party, the National People’s Party (NPP). In a statement on his official X account, Sangma described the incident as both heartbreaking and intolerable, reiterating that racial violence should never be accepted.

“Individuals from the Northeast belong to India just as much as any other citizen of this nation,” he remarked, insisting on strict penalties for those responsible.

James Sangma, NPP’s Working President and former Meghalaya Minister, characterized the event as profoundly shocking, labeling it a wake-up call for robust legal, institutional, and social responses against racial profiling, hate speech, and targeted violence. He called for immediate and exemplary measures to ensure justice.

In the meantime, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha held discussions with his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Singh Dhami about the incident. CM Dhami informed Saha that five suspects have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody, with further investigations ongoing.

Angel Chakma, a student at a university in Uttarakhand, was reportedly attacked in a racially motivated incident in the Selaqui area of Dehradun on December 9. A complaint filed by his brother, Michael Chakma, stated that the brothers were confronted by a group of young men, allegedly intoxicated, which led to an argument that escalated into violence.

The assailants reportedly shouted racial slurs before attacking them with sharp weapons. Angel suffered multiple stab wounds, including serious injuries to his neck and abdomen, and was admitted to the intensive care unit at Graphic Era Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on December 26.

The remains of Angel Chakma were returned to Tripura on Saturday. His untimely death has sparked widespread sorrow and outrage throughout the state, leading numerous student organizations and political figures, including TMP Supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, to demand immediate and severe punishment for those accountable.