Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Sunday strongly condemned the racial abuse and violence that allegedly led to the death of Tripura youth Anjel (Angela) Chakma in Dehradun, describing the incident as heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. Calling racism “completely unacceptable,” Sangma said such acts strike at the very foundation of equality, unity, and constitutional values, and demanded swift and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Sangma, who is also the president of the National People’s Party (NPP), said incidents of racial violence against people from the North East reflect a dangerous mindset that cannot be allowed to persist in a diverse and democratic country like India. He stressed that citizens from the North Eastern states are as Indian as anyone else and deserve dignity, safety, and equal treatment wherever they live.

“Racism must never be normalised and those responsible must be punished,” Sangma said, underlining that the country cannot turn a blind eye to repeated instances of discrimination and abuse faced by people from the region outside their home states.

The chief minister expressed deep sorrow over the death of Anjel Chakma, a young man from Tripura whose life was allegedly cut short following racial harassment in Dehradun. “My deepest condolences to Anjel’s family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace,” Sangma wrote, adding that justice must be delivered without delay to ensure accountability and restore faith in the rule of law.

Sangma’s remarks come amid growing outrage over the incident, which has reignited a national conversation on racism, prejudice, and the safety of people from the North East living, studying, or working in other parts of the country. Over the years, several such cases have been reported, prompting repeated calls for stronger legal safeguards, better policing, and greater social awareness.

Highlighting the broader implications of the case, Sangma said racial violence undermines the idea of India as a united nation built on mutual respect and coexistence. “Such acts of violence strike at the very foundation of equality and unity,” he said, noting that discrimination based on appearance, ethnicity, or region has no place in a modern, inclusive society.

As president of the NPP, a regional party with a strong base in the North East, Sangma also emphasised the need for collective political and social action. He said his party has been engaging with like-minded regional forces across the region, including Tripura-based Tipra Motha, to raise awareness and push for concrete measures to protect the rights and dignity of people from the North East across India.

“There is an urgent need for collective efforts to ensure dignity, safety, and justice for people from the North East wherever they are in the country,” Sangma said. He added that governments, institutions, and civil society must work together to address both systemic discrimination and individual acts of hatred.

The case has also drawn reactions from cultural and sporting institutions in the North East. Meghalaya-based football club Shillong Lajong FC condemned the incident in a statement posted on X, expressing solidarity with the victim and his family. The club addressed the issue of racial slurs often directed at people from the region, particularly being referred to as “Chinese,” a term that has historically been used in a derogatory manner.

Shillong Lajong FC noted that in today’s globalised world, such labels should not carry stigma. “Being referred to as ‘Chinese’ is not inherently derogatory in today’s globalised world, where identity is fluid, cultural confidence is rising, and being Oriental is something to be proud of,” the club said. However, it also stressed that the core issue is not semantics but respect and belonging.

The club underlined that people from the North East must be proud, first and foremost, of being Indian. “Every person from the North East must be proud—first and foremost—of being an Indian,” the statement said, adding that no Indian citizen should ever feel alienated or unsafe within their own country.

The death of Anjel Chakma has once again highlighted the vulnerability many young people from the North East face when they move to other states for education or employment. Students and professionals from the region have frequently spoken about experiencing racial slurs, stereotyping, social exclusion, and, in extreme cases, physical violence.

Activists and rights groups argue that while laws exist to address hate crimes and discrimination, enforcement often falls short. They have called for better sensitisation of law enforcement agencies, mandatory awareness programmes in educational institutions, and fast-track mechanisms to deal with cases involving racial violence.

Sangma’s intervention has been welcomed by many as an important political acknowledgment of a long-standing issue. By framing the incident as an attack on national unity and constitutional values, he sought to move the conversation beyond regional grievance to a broader question of what kind of society India aspires to be.

As investigations into the circumstances surrounding Anjel Chakma’s death continue, there is growing pressure on authorities to ensure a fair, transparent, and time-bound probe. For the family of the victim, justice is not only about punishment for the guilty but also about recognition of the dignity and worth of a life lost to hatred.

The tragedy has left a deep scar, but it has also renewed calls for introspection and reform. Leaders like Sangma have stressed that condemnation alone is not enough; meaningful action is required to ensure that no Indian is targeted because of how they look, where they come from, or who they are. In a country as diverse as India, they argue, unity can only be sustained through respect, empathy, and an uncompromising stand against racism in all its forms.