DEHRADUN / AGARTALA – The Uttarakhand Congress on December 30 lashed out at the state government, stating that the killing of 24-year-old Tripura student Anjel Chakma has severely damaged Uttarakhand’s reputation both nationally and internationally. The party has called for the state government to take moral responsibility for the tragedy.
“Condolences are Not Enough”
Uttarakhand Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana noted that while Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke with the victim’s father and offered condolences, such gestures fall short of what is required. Dhasmana argued that the Chief Minister should have issued a formal apology on behalf of the state to assure citizens across India that such racial violence will not be tolerated or repeated.
Impact on the “Education Hub”
Dhasmana warned of broader consequences for Dehradun’s status as a premier education destination. Key points from his statement include:
- Economic Risk: Thousands of students from across India contribute significantly to the local economy; continued violence could deter future enrollments.
- Call for Justice: The Congress demanded a thorough investigation and the “harshest possible punishment” for those involved.
- Apology to the Family: On behalf of the party, Dhasmana extended condolences and apologized to the Chakma family for the racial violence that occurred within the state.
Current Status of the Case
Anjel Chakma, a resident of Tripura’s Unakoti district, was allegedly attacked on December 9 after objecting to racial slurs. He succumbed to his injuries on December 26. Dehradun Police have arrested five suspects, while the prime accused, identified as Yagyaraj Awasthi (a resident of Nepal), remains absconding.
