Manipur singer beaten to death in Delhi

Chongtham Vikram Singh, a well-known guitarist and singer from Manipur, objected to shouting and commotion outside his home in the Kilokri area of southeast Delhi late Sunday night. He was allegedly chased by a group of young men and beaten severely in the corridor on the third floor of his home. Vikram, 54, died while undergoing treatment Monday morning.

The incident took place around 11:30 pm Sunday. Vikram lived in a rented apartment on the third floor with his wife Joshna and their 20-year-old son Yaiyphaba. He went downstairs to dispose of garbage and saw a group of dhaba workers and delivery workers shouting loudly and creating a disturbance in front of the building. Police and local sources said they were also drinking alcohol. Vikram asked them to lower the noise. An argument then broke out between Vikram and the group.

According to Manipuri social worker B Ruchida Sharma, the accused youths chased Vikram as he returned home following the argument. Even after he reached the third floor, they surrounded him and beat him severely. CCTV footage also showed several people going down the stairs after the attack. The Sunlight Colony police station received information about the assault at 1:38 am. Vikram’s son took him to a private hospital in Okhla. He died at around 7 a.m. Monday. Doctors on duty said blood loss caused by injuries to his head and body was the cause of death.

Police said Bharat Kumar, Pramod, Ramzan Khan, Vijay, Deepanshu, Mohan Vishwakarma and Mannu have been arrested. A 15-year-old minor has also been detained. Police said some of the accused worked in delivery or packaging at the dhaba. A murder case has been filed under Sections 103(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Vikram was also a familiar face in Manipur’s rock music scene. In the 1980s, he played guitar for bands including Phoenix, Ultra Virus and Eastern Dark. He later taught music in Delhi for nearly 17 years. Manipur Chief Minister Khemchand Yumnam expressed grief and said Vikram’s contribution to music and the state’s cultural life would be remembered with deep respect. Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh also called on Delhi Police to conduct a swift and impartial investigation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also questioned how safe people from the northeastern states are in the capital Delhi. He said a father had to lose his life right outside his own home. According to him, the incident has raised the same question in the minds of every family in the Northeast. Around 100 northeastern residents held a candlelight march Monday evening demanding a speedy trial and strict punishment for those responsible. Police said the possibility of ethnic bias behind the attack is also being investigated.