Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh: In a disturbing incident reminiscent of recent attacks on northeastern students in India, five postgraduate students at the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, were expelled following the alleged assault of a 22-year-old student from Assam. The incident occurred in the university hostel on Tuesday afternoon, prompting police to register a case and launch an investigation into both the assault and a potential racial angle.

The attack comes weeks after the death of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura who succumbed to injuries after a violent assault in Dehradun. The recurrence of such incidents has sparked concerns about safety and inclusivity for northeastern students studying elsewhere in India.

Details of the Assault

According to Anuppur Sub-Divisional Officer of Police, Naveen Tiwari, the victim was returning to his hostel room from the washroom around 4 PM on Tuesday when the accused allegedly confronted him.

“They reportedly asked him where he was from and what he was doing at the university before physically assaulting him,” Tiwari told PTI.

An FIR was registered against the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:

• Section 115(2) – voluntarily causing hurt
• Section 296 – obscene acts and words
• Section 351(3) – criminal intimidation
• Section 3(5) – common intention

The five students named in the FIR are Anurag Pande, Jatin Singh, Rajnish Tripathi, Vishal Yadav, and Utkarsh Singh.

The university’s disciplinary committee had expelled all five students a day prior to the police FIR, highlighting the institution’s swift administrative response. However, authorities emphasized that the legal process will continue independently, with police investigations and medical examinations ongoing.

Investigation and Racial Angle

Police officials have confirmed that the case is under investigation and that the motive behind the assault is yet to be fully determined. The medico-legal certificate for the victim is awaited, and officers have stated that a racial angle will be examined, given the context of recent attacks on students from northeastern India.

“The motive behind the assault would become clear after questioning the students involved. We are looking into all possible angles, including whether the attack had racial undertones,” Tiwari said.

Experts and social observers have noted that northeastern students often face discrimination and harassment in parts of mainland India. These incidents, though sporadic, highlight broader societal prejudices and campus safety concerns, particularly at central universities where students from diverse backgrounds converge.

Political Reactions

The incident has immediately drawn political attention, with leaders from opposition parties criticizing the state government. Congress’ Madhya Pradesh unit condemned the attack, calling it symptomatic of a broader pattern of intolerance and discrimination in educational institutions.

Umang Singhar, Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, alleged that students in the IGNTU hostel made racist remarks against the victim, and when he protested, he was physically assaulted. Singhar further accused the university administration of taking only token action while failing to address the underlying issues on campus.

“Some youths linked to the ruling party consume drugs on campus and assault students, while the university administration carries out only nominal disciplinary proceedings,” Singhar said. He also claimed that IGNTU, an institution established to promote higher education and inclusivity, has allegedly turned into a hub for the BJP and RSS, raising concerns about politicization on campus.

Student Organizations Respond

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the BJP, also reacted strongly, condemning the assault against the victim. They stated that a hostile environment had been created on campus and urged corrective measures.

“If conditions do not improve at the central university in the next two weeks, we will launch an agitation,” said Shivendra Chaturvedi, ABVP’s Anuppur district organizing secretary. The statement underscores the growing student activism on issues of safety, discrimination, and campus governance.

Context: Northeastern Students in India

The assault in Anuppur comes on the heels of Anjel Chakma’s death in Dehradun, which had triggered national outrage and widespread protests. Chakma, a student from Tripura, died on December 26, 2025, after being attacked and undergoing 17 days of treatment. While his family alleged the attack had racial motivations, Uttarakhand police denied that the assault targeted him for being from the northeast.

Despite official denials, incidents of violence and discrimination against northeastern students in mainland India continue to provoke concern among civil society, students’ associations, and human rights organizations. Many activists have called for enhanced security, sensitization programs, and stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in universities across the country.

University Response

The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University has acted swiftly to expel the five accused students. However, officials clarified that administrative action alone would not suffice, and police investigation and legal proceedings must run their course to ensure accountability.

University authorities have also pledged to review campus safety measures and implement preventive steps, including increasing surveillance in hostels, conducting awareness programs for students, and establishing a clear grievance redressal mechanism.

Wider Implications

This incident highlights a recurring issue in Indian higher education: the vulnerability of students from minority and northeastern communities. Analysts point out that while universities are meant to be inclusive spaces promoting cultural integration and diversity, they often reflect the prejudices of the surrounding society.

Educational institutions must balance disciplinary action, legal compliance, and campus culture, ensuring that students feel safe regardless of their region, ethnicity, or background. Experts recommend measures such as mandatory sensitization workshops, peer monitoring systems, and close collaboration with law enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Anuppur assault also underscores the responsibility of student organizations and political groups operating on campuses. While political participation and activism are encouraged, there is a clear need to prevent the politicization of violence and harassment, ensuring that student politics does not escalate into discrimination or physical assault.

Legal Proceedings

The FIR against the five students has been registered, and the accused will likely face trial under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Sections applied include charges of voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, obscene acts, and common intention, which carry significant penalties under Indian law.

Investigators are conducting detailed inquiries, including interrogation of the accused, collection of witness statements, and review of hostel CCTV footage, if available. The outcome of the medico-legal examination of the victim will play a critical role in determining the severity of the charges.

Conclusion

The assault on the postgraduate student from Assam at IGNTU has once again brought the issue of racial discrimination and campus safety into public focus. The expulsion of the five accused students reflects administrative action, but the police investigation, legal proceedings, and societal awareness will determine whether justice is effectively served.

As India continues to promote higher education as a tool for integration and empowerment, incidents such as these underscore the urgent need for stronger safeguards, cultural sensitivity programs, and proactive measures to ensure that all students, regardless of their regional or ethnic background, can pursue education without fear of harassment or violence.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities examining the racial motives and pursuing legal accountability for the accused, while student organizations continue to voice concerns over campus safety, inclusivity, and governance.

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