The mortal remains of musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who succumbed to injuries after an alleged assault in Delhi on September 7, were brought to Imphal today, where family members, friends and well-wishers gathered at Imphal International Airport to receive the body.
Several mourners broke down as the mortal remains arrived at the airport.
Speaking after receiving his brother’s body, Chongtham Vivek said the death had caused profound grief to the family as well as people across Manipur and the wider music fraternity.
He called for strict punishment for those responsible and urged the authorities to complete the investigation and legal proceedings at the earliest.
Vivek said that it was a very sad and painful moment for people in the state and across the country, adding that his brother’s death was not only a loss for the family but also for the entire music fraternity.
‘They threatened me before’: Vikram’s final account before death
Musician Chongtham Vikram Singh had reportedly told his son that the men who assaulted him had come from a dhaba located opposite their residence in Kilokari, southeast Delhi, according to the FIR registered in connection with his death.
The FIR states that Vikram had also told his son that some of the men had threatened him earlier after he objected to them drinking near the residence.
The 54-year-old musician succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Holy Family Hospital after he was allegedly attacked by a group of men near his residence late on September 6.
Police registered the case under Sections 103(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on the basis of a statement given by Vikram’s son, Yaiphaba, who told police that he witnessed the assault.
According to the FIR, Yaiphaba was inside the house at around 11.30 pm when he heard his father shouting. On opening the door, he allegedly saw 4 to 5 young men assaulting Vikram by kicking and punching him.
The assailants fled after Yaiphaba raised an alarm. He subsequently arranged a taxi and took his injured father to Holy Family Hospital along with his mother and a neighbour.
During the journey to the hospital, Vikram allegedly identified the attackers as men who had come from the dhaba across from their home and recalled the earlier threats made by some of them, the FIR states.
Vikram reportedly became unconscious before reaching the hospital. He was admitted for treatment, but later died from his injuries.
Yaiphaba told police that he had seen the attackers and would be able to identify them if they were produced before him.
Police personnel who reached the hospital after receiving information about the assault found Vikram undergoing treatment. However, doctors declared him unfit to give a statement, and police could not record his account.
Following his death, police obtained his medical records and recorded Yaiphaba’s statement. Vikram’s body was later sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for post-mortem examination.
Police are examining CCTV footage, witness accounts and other evidence to reconstruct the incident and determine the individual roles of those arrested.
Meanwhile, Renowned singer Sadananda Hamom has called for capital punishment for those responsible for the alleged killing of musician Chongtham Vikram Singh in Delhi, while expressing concern over racial discrimination faced by people from the Northeast.
Sadananda made the statement while attending the tribute ceremony at Imphal International Airport, where family members, friends and well-wishers gathered to receive Vikram’s mortal remains.
Describing Vikram as a “very loveable and down-to-earth person”, Sadananda said his death following an alleged assault was deeply unfortunate.
He said the incident had renewed concerns over racial discrimination faced by people from the Northeast in Delhi. He urged the authorities to take the strongest possible action against those responsible and ensure an end to racial discrimination against people from the Northeast, calling for capital punishment in the present case.
He also stressed the need for greater awareness across the country about the Northeast, its geography, people and diverse cultures, and said the region’s integral place within India should be recognised and understood.
The mortal remains will be taken to the family residence at Thangmeiband Lourungpurel in Imphal West, where the last rites will be performed.
The Manipur Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD), Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC), People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM), Karwan-e-Mohabbat (KeM), North East India Support Centre and Helpline (NEISCH) and Human Rights Alert (HRA) have condemned the killing of Chongtham Vikram, a music teacher in Delhi, describing it as a racist attack and calling for a thorough investigation into the possible racial motive behind the incident.
In a joint statement following a meeting held in New Delhi on September 8, the organisations said Vikram was killed by an unruly mob and urged authorities to ensure an impartial, transparent and evidence-based investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The organisations said the killing should not be treated merely as an isolated criminal incident, but viewed against the wider context of structural racism, racial prejudice and hostility faced by people from Northeast India because of their distinct ethnic, cultural and physical features.
They demanded an impartial, transparent and thorough investigation, including an evidence-based examination of the possible racial motive; identification and prosecution of all those responsible; accountability at every level; and measures to prevent further racist violence against people from Northeast India.
A two-minute silence was observed during the meeting in remembrance of Vikram and in solidarity with his bereaved family.
The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has also strongly condemned the death of Chongtham Vikram Singh.
In a statement, NESO expressed “strong condemnation and profound anguish” over the incident, saying it was deeply disturbed by the alleged killing following what it described as a simple objection to a disturbance outside Singh’s home.
“Justice must not be delayed, diluted or denied,” NESO said, demanding accountability for everyone found responsible for the death.
NESO said the incident must also be viewed against what it described as a broader pattern of harassment, racial discrimination, stereotyping, intimidation and violence faced by people from the Northeast in various parts of mainland India.
The organisation said Northeastern citizens living, studying and working outside the region have repeatedly reported incidents involving racial slurs, verbal abuse, physical attacks, social discrimination and other forms of humiliation allegedly linked to their appearance, identity and place of origin.
“No person should have to fear for their life simply because they assert their basic right to safety and peace in their own home,” the organisation said.
NESO expressed solidarity with Vikram Singh’s bereaved family and the people of Manipur and reiterated its demand for justice and accountability in the case.
The Manipur People’s Party (MPP) has condemned the killing of Eastern Dark guitarist Chongtham Vikram and called on the Delhi government, Manipur government and Government of India to make clear the punishment to be given to those responsible.
In a statement, the MPP said it could not accept the continuing incidents of violence and killings involving people from the Northeast in Delhi. It said the contribution of Vikram, who was deeply devoted to music, would be remembered by generations.
