'Deeply hurtful': Rijiju says Tripura student's killing 'not an isolated incident' against people of northeast

Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has reacted to the murder of the Tripura student, Anjel Chakma, after he protested against a racial slur.

While speaking to CNN-News18, Rijiju said, "Such incidents not isolated against the people of northeast India."

"Society should come together against such incidents. We must come together and stop discrimination," he added.

"People from any part of India should feel safe everywhere. His death is deeply hurting," Rijiju further said.

Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also condemned the killing and called it a "horrible hate crime".

"What happened to Anjel Chakma and his brother Michael in Dehradun is a horrific hate crime." He added, "Hate doesn’t appear overnight. For years, it has been fed daily, especially to our youth, through toxic content and irresponsible stories. The ruling BJP’s leadership is making hate seem normal."

Rahul Gandhi, while further commenting on the issue, said, "We are a country of love and diversity. We must not become a society that ignores when fellow Indians are targeted. We need to think about and face what we are letting our country become."

"My thoughts are with the Chakma family and the people of Tripura and the Northeast. We are proud to call you our fellow Indian brothers and sisters." he added.

Chakma was attacked by six men on December 9. He passed away on December 26, while undergoing treatment.