New Delhi, Dec. 29 -- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday stressed the urgent need to ensure the safety and protection of people from India's Northeast region following the death of Angel Chakma, a student from Tripura, who was brutally stabbed in Dehradun after allegedly facing racial abuse.

"There should be protection for the people of the Northeast," Rijiju said, reacting to the incident. He added that the Uttarakhand government has acted swiftly in the matter and that around five people have already been arrested.

"Uttarakhand government has taken vigilance, and probably five people have also been arrested. This is not a political issue," the minister said.

Calling the incident "not a political issue", Rijiju also highlighted ste...