Agartala, December 31, 2025: The Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a constituent of Tripura’s BJP-led coalition, on Wednesday intensified its demand for a dedicated anti-racial law in India, arguing that the absence of such legislation continues to expose people from the Northeastern states to discrimination and targeted violence.
At a joint press briefing in Agartala, TMP leaders Rajeshwar Debbarma, C.K. Jamatia and Anthony Debbarma said that existing legal provisions were insufficient to address racially motivated crimes. They stressed that only a comprehensive law would empower authorities to respond decisively and curb the recurring pattern of racial abuse faced by Northeastern citizens across the country.
The party’s renewed call follows the death of 24-year-old Angel Chakma, a Tripura student who was fatally attacked in Dehradun on December 9 and succumbed to his injuries after 18 days of treatment. The final-year MBA student, belonging to the Chakma tribal community and son of a BSF jawan, was allegedly assaulted by a group of men who also used racial slurs during the attack.
TMP spokesperson Rajeshwar Debbarma said the party is seeking exemplary punishment for the assailants and the invocation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. TMP leaders also criticised Uttarakhand authorities for what they described as a delayed and inadequate response. According to Anthony Debbarma, a police case was registered only after Tripura MP Kriti Devi Debbarman intervened and the victim’s father reached Dehradun to press for action.
Party chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, in a video statement, accused the Uttarakhand administration of attempting to downplay the racial dimension of the assault. He reiterated that the attackers used derogatory slurs such as “Chinki” and “Chinese,” and announced a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the key accused, who is believed to have escaped to Nepal.
The killing has ignited widespread condemnation across the Northeast. Leaders including Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, as well as several regional and student organisations, have labelled the incident a hate-driven crime and demanded strict punishment for those involved.
