The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)has issued a notice to officials in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, following the death of a young student from Tripura. The commission has asked the local authorities to look into the circumstances of the killing and send a report on actions taken within seven days.  

The NHRC’s notice was sent to the District Magistrate (DM) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Dehradun. The commission has also asked that copies of the case records be sent to the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand and the state Director General of Police (DGP). Additionally, the NHRC directed the authorities to “ensure safety of the students of North Eastern region in the entire state.”  

The case involves 24-year-old Anjel Chakma, a final-year MBA student who was studying at a private university in Dehradun. It is alleged that he was attacked by some youths on December 9. Reports say he was hit with a knife and a bracelet or blunt objects during the attack. After being in a hospital for 17 days, he died on December 26 from injuries sustained in the assault.  

The NHRC took action on a complaint filed about the killing. The complaint describes the incident as a “racially motivated” attack on a student from the North-Eastern region who was living and studying away from home. According to the complaint, the victim was attacked after he was subjected to racial slurs by the assailants and tried to assert his identity.  

As explained in the NHRC proceedings, the complaint says the victim was “targeted with racial slurs and assaulted after asserting his identity as an Indian citizen.” The commission also noted that the incident has caused strong reactions nationwide and, in the complaint’s words, reflects deep-rooted racial discrimination against people from the North-East.  

The complaint further states that the alleged attack shows a failure of local authorities to prevent the violence and a lack of proper protection mechanisms for students from outside the state. The complainant says that the killing amounts to a “serious violation” of the victim’s right to life, dignity and equality.  

The NHRC’s notice says that the allegations appear to be violations of the human rights of the victim. In response, the commission’s registry was directed to issue the notice to the local administration and police in Dehradun. They have been asked to inquire into the allegations and submit a detailed report within seven days so that the commission can review the matter.  

The NHRC also told authorities to work on steps that would help ensure the safety of students from the North-East across the state. This direction highlights the concern that similar attacks could occur again if preventive measures are not put in place.  

In connection with the case, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, spoke with the father of the deceased student and assured him that the accused would be punished. Officials and political leaders from various parties have also spoken out, calling for stronger efforts to stop hate-based crimes, especially those targeting people from the North-East.  

The NHRC’s move to issue a notice shows that it is taking the complaint seriously and pushing for a timely and thorough investigation. The commission’s actions are meant to ensure that justice is served and that such incidents of violence and discrimination do not happen again.