'There is anger': Kiren Rijiju on Anjel Chakma's death; demands for 'Delhi-like' system for racial attacks

NEW DELHI: Union minister of minority affairs Kiren Rijiju, responding to the death of Tripura student Anjel Chakma, demanded a Delhi-like special unit of police for the Northeast. Calling out the racial attack, Rijiju stated that this should not be a region-specific concern, but is detrimental to the nation.Speaking to PTI, Rijiju appeared visibly bothered and upset by the death of the MBA student in Dehradun. The Union minister said, "The incident that happened in Dehradun, a student from the Northeast died, we are very sad. There is anger as well. It should not just be seen as an incident. Why only Northeast? The whole country should be sad." He also urged the people to be sensitised to the racial attacks as a society. The minister said, "Why racial attack? If it is so, then all sections of society should think about it."The Union minister highlighted the actions taken by the Uttarakhand government, and further put forth the demand to form a special unit of police dedicated to the protection of the northeastern people, like the one in Delhi. Rijiju underscored how the once largely normalised racial hate cases against people from the northeast in India significantly declined after the special unit was set up."Uttarakhand government has taken vigilance, and probably 5 people have also been arrested," the minister said."This is not a political issue. There should be protection for the people from the Northeast," Rijiju said, "When PM Modi swore in as the Prime Minister, 20-40 incidents were normal, but with the Delhi special unit established, the number of incidents decreased."The minister further expressed that the issue can be tackled if proper awareness is raised.