New Delhi: What should have been a quiet Sunday night in South East Delhi ended in the killing of a 54-year-old musician from Manipur who had only asked for silence outside his home.
The deceased, Chongtham Vikram Singh, was a well-known face in Delhi’s independent music circuit. Son of Manipuri singer Chongtham Kamala, Singh had moved to the capital years ago. After performing with bands like Ultra Vires, Phoenix, Eastern Dark and collaborating with Mame Khan’s Rock’n’Roots Project, he had settled as a guitar teacher in Kilokri, giving lessons to young musicians from his home.
Police said the assault happened around midnight on Sunday, September 7, just outside his residence in the Kilokri area under Sunlight Colony Police Station.
According to the preliminary inquiry, a group of delivery boys and staff of a local dhaba were shouting and creating nuisance in front of his house. Disturbed by the noise, Singh came downstairs and objected. The objection turned into a heated argument. The group allegedly attacked him. He sustained grievous injuries to his head and body. His son, Yaiphaba, who was at home, rushed him to Holy Family Hospital in Okhla. Doctors declared him dead during treatment.
Delhi Police in a statement on Monday confirmed the incident and said, “Some suspects, including a minor, have been detained/apprehended. Further investigation is in progress.”
The area where Singh lived is densely populated and has a large Northeast community, including many students and working professionals. Residents said this is not the first time people from the region have faced hostility here. In 2023, a Manipuri family was allegedly assaulted by a group of men in the same locality.
The incident has sparked strong reactions.
The Meitei Heritage Society alleged that police took a long time to register the FIR, forcing hundreds of people from the Northeast to gather and protest at Sunlight Colony police station late Sunday night. The group said, “This is not an isolated crime, but part of a deeply disturbing pattern of violence, discrimination and targeted attacks faced by people from the North East in Delhi NCR. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, such incidents recur, reflecting a systemic failure.”
The North East Students Society of Delhi University (NESSDU) also condemned the killing, saying, “No one should be assaulted, let alone lose their life, for simply asking for peace and consideration in their own neighbourhood.” It demanded a swift, fair and thorough investigation.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh posted on X, “Shri Vikram Singh’s invaluable contribution to music will always be remembered. His untimely passing is a great loss to his family, the music fraternity and the people of Manipur. With evidence now emerging, I urge Delhi Police to take swift action and ensure justice at the earliest.”
As of Monday evening, the body was kept at the hospital mortuary for post-mortem. Family members from Manipur are expected to reach Delhi by Tuesday.
