New Delhi- The death of 24-year-old Anjel Chakma from Tripura, who became a victim of alleged racial violence in Uttarakhand, has intensified demands for justice and greater safety for northeasterners living outside the region.

Angel, pursuing his studies at Jigyasa University  in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, was out with his younger brother, Michael, and a friend on December 9, when a group of locals allegedly hurled xenophobic abuses at them, calling them "Chinese," "Chinki," and "Momo"derogatory terms often used against people from Northeast India. When Angel intervened to defend his brother and assert his Indian identity, shouting, "I am Indian, I'm from Tripura," the confrontation escalated into a violent mob attack. Eyewitness accounts and police reports describe how the assailants stabbed Angel multiple times, including blows to his head with a metal bracelet, before fleeing the scene.

Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Angel battled for his life for over two weeks before being declared dead on December 26. His body was airlifted to Agartala on Saturday, where it was received amid tearful tributes from family, friends, and community members. The family, already burdened by an education loan taken to fund Angel's studies, now grapples with unimaginable grief.

Angel's father, a serving jawan in the Border Security Force (BSF), was posted far from home at the time and could only learn of the tragedy through frantic calls from the hospital. "My son was protecting his brother. He kept saying he was Indian, but they didn't listen. How can this happen in our own country?" the father told reporters in a heart-wrenching account.

Uttarakhand Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the murder, including key members of the group involved in the altercation. However, the prime accused, identified as the individual who allegedly delivered the fatal stabs, remains at large, prompting criticism over the pace of the investigation.

A case under murder and hate crime provisions has been registered at the Selakui police station, with senior officials assuring a thorough probe. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a statement on Saturday, condemned the attack as "unacceptable" and vowed "strict action" against all perpetrators, emphasizing that such racial violence has no place in a diverse India. He has personally assured Angel's family of full support, including expedited medical reimbursements and legal aid.

The tragedy has sparked a wave of protests and memorials across Tripura and the Northeast. Indigenous student and youth organizations have demanded strict action against the perpetrators and intervention from the Ministry of Home Affairs to address rising racial violence against Northeastern people. The Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) held a candlelight march in Agartala, calling for safety and justice. Youth Tipra Federation president Suraj Debbarma highlighted ongoing racism faced by Northeastern people, who are often derogatorily labeled "Chinese," "Momo," or accused of eating unusual foods.

The Tripura Chakma Students' Association (TCSA) announced protests, including a candlelight vigil on December 29 and submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on December 30, emphasizing police negligence and demanding accountability.

Activists and community leaders, including the Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI), have highlighted the systemic racism faced by Northeasterners in mainland India, drawing parallels to past incidents like the 2023 assault on students in Delhi. "Angel Chakma's last words—'I am Indian' should shame us all. His family sacrificed everything for his education, only for prejudice to snuff out his future," said CDFI president in a statement.

National opposition figures, including voices from the Congress, have also weighed in indirectly through broader condemnations of rising hate crimes. In a scathing social media post that has garnered over 50,000 likes and shares within hours, Congress MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor vehemently condemned the brutal lynching, branding it a "national disgrace" and a stark manifestation of entrenched racial prejudice against Northeastern Indians.

Describing the attack, where Angel was fatally stabbed after being subjected to xenophobic slurs like "Chinese" and "momo" despite his desperate pleas of "I am Indian, I'm from Tripura" as the "culmination of ignorance, prejudice, and societal failure," Tharoor called for immediate justice beyond the courts, urging a nationwide reckoning with systemic biases. "This must ignite a movement for education, empathy, and reform," he wrote, emphasizing the Northeast's "rich tapestry" as integral to India's pluralistic identity.