Guwahati, Dec 30: Nagaland’s Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, has strongly condemned the alleged racial attack on a Tripura student in Dehradun, asserting that the Northeastern states are an inseparable and integral part of India.
Speaking to reporters, Along urged people to be mindful of their words and attitudes. “First of all, we should think before speaking. I cannot condemn an entire community, but those involved in this incident are not intellectuals and do not understand the people of the Northeast,” he said. “We do not consider ourselves Chinese, and we are not ‘momo’. Momo is a dish—it’s very good, and they should eat it too. But this attitude towards us is wrong.”
Emphasising identity and belonging, the minister said, “We are proud Indians. The Northeastern states are an inseparable and integral part of India. Such behaviour is not good for society.” Referring to the accused, he added that he had been informed they were in custody. “We want to bring them here and show them how warm and sweet the people of Arunachal, Nagaland or any other state are. They will realise that we are not Chinese or ‘ching pong ching’; we are Indians. Yes, we come from Nagaland, Manipur or Tripura—our features may be different—but we are an integral part of India.”
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Police probing the murder of Anjel Chakma have said there is no conclusive evidence so far to establish racial abuse, even as political leaders and student bodies continue to describe the incident as a hate crime.
According to police, the accused allegedly attacked Anjel with knives and brass knuckles. He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries on December 26.
The victim’s father, Tarun Chakma—currently posted in Manipur with the Border Security Force (BSF)—has alleged that racial slurs were hurled at his son during the assault.
