Racial abuse against youths from the northeastern states have once again come under focus after a 24-year-old man from Tripura was killed following an assault in Dehradun earlier this month.
Anjel Chakma, a native of Tripura, succumbed to injuries following after being assaulted in Dehradun. The police said it was an alleged racist attack by a group of six people.
Police have arrested five accused. Two of those arrested were juveniles, underscoring a disconcerting reality about how such attitudes take root early. The episode has raised questions about the way young minds are shaped.
It’s also a reflection of how education systems fail to inculcate values of respect across communities.
Meanwhile, the incident triggered outrage among students and people from the northeastern states. It raised concerns about racial targeting and the safety of youths from the region living and studying outside their home states.
A national daily has published a detailed report about the boy, adored as calm, friendly, and non-confrontational. He is known to stay away from disputes.
Anjel was the son of a BSF head constable and had grown up moving across states with his father’s postings. Family members said the frequent relocations shaped his childhood, making him adaptable, grounded, and aware of uncertainty from an early age.
About a month before the attack, Anjel had achieved a long-awaited milestone. He had secured his first job through a campus placement at a French multinational company and returned home to share the news.
Soon after, he told his father it was time to rest and suggested opting for the voluntary retirement scheme after years of service and constant transfers. With his first salary in sight, Anjel began planning a more settled future for the family.
He spoke about seeking a posting in Guwahati or Kolkata so he could stay closer to Tripura. He asked his mother to be ready to move in with him once he was settled. Relatives said he had promised to support the family financially and planned to fund the higher studies of his younger brother, Michael, to reduce the burden on his father.
His maternal uncle, Momen Chakma, said Anjel’s experiences across different states had made him mature beyond his years. He said Anjel understood life’s challenges well and was always focused on supporting the family. He added that Anjel never got into fights or brawls and preferred travelling and visiting new places whenever he had time.
That interest in travel drew Anjel to Uttarakhand. He admired the hill terrain and often spoke about trekking routes and mountain trails. He encouraged Michael, 21, to pursue higher studies in Dehradun and urged him to explore the region beyond classrooms and hostels.
They had planned a Chandrashila trek for December 22. Exams were ending. Anjel had checked the route. He checked the weather. He ordered new trekking shoes. He wanted time in the mountains.
The shoes arrived at his house a day after the attack. Sadly, he wasn’t allowed to live to wear it.
Also Read: All Thanks To PM Modi, North East Is finally Associating Itself With India: Amit Shah https://www.vibesofindia.com/all-thanks-to-pm-modi-north-east-is-finally-associating-itself-with-india-amit-shah/
