Respect Northeast or Let Us Take Care of Ourselves: TISF
Agartala, Dec 28: Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) President Sajra Debbarma on Saturday issued a strong and emotionally charged reaction to the death of Angel Chakma.
He said that the incident once again exposed the long-standing discrimination, insecurity, and lack of dignity faced by people from the Northeastern region across the country.
A video statement of Debbarma, shared on social media platform X by news agency ANI, showed the student leader expressing deep anguish over the fatal attack on the Tripura youth.
#WATCH | Agartala, Tripura: President of the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation, Sajra Debbarma says, “What’s happening to the Northeast is nothing new… The death of Angel Chakma today—this isn’t just Angel Chakma’s death; this is the death of all the people of the… https://t.co/8kDbyMtuxn pic.twitter.com/r5V34zQFMn
— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2025
He asserted that the incident should not be seen as an isolated case but as part of a recurring pattern of violence against people from the Northeast in different parts of India.
“This is not just the death of Angel Chakma. It symbolises the suffering and fear experienced by the entire Northeast,” Debbarma said.
He added that similar incidents in the past have repeatedly highlighted the vulnerability of Northeastern youths living outside their home states.
Respect Northeast or …
In the ANI shared Video, addressing the Central government directly, the TISF president made a sharp and uncompromising appeal. “If the Centre cannot ensure respect, dignity, and love for the people of the Northeast, then give us a separate country. We will take care of ourselves”.
He added, enough is enough. There is something called *insaniyat*, but where is *insaniyat* in this case? Debbarma asked in the video message.
Highlighting the cultural values of the region, Debbarma pointed out that people of the Northeast have traditionally welcomed individuals from other parts of the country with warmth and hospitality.
“We do not respond with the same treatment that is meted out to us elsewhere because such behaviour is not part of our culture. Unfortunately, that respect is not always reciprocated,” he remarked.
Calling the issue extremely serious, the student leader urged the Government of India to intervene with sincerity, sensitivity, and accountability, stressing that such incidents have continued for far too long without effective preventive measures.
On behalf of the Tipra Indigenous Students Federation and several other student organisations from across the Northeastern states, Debbarma announced collective protests against the killing of Angel Chakma.
He demanded swift and strict punishment for all those responsible, asserting that no individual involved in the crime should be spared.