NEW DELHI: The men accused of killing Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh in southeast Delhi allegedly wanted to “teach him a lesson” for objecting to noise outside his home, but did not expect the assault to turn fatal, police said on Wednesday.During questioning, the accused allegedly told police that they assaulted the 54-year-old musician with fists and blows after he objected to the commotion outside his residence in Kilokari, according to the police, as cited by news agency PTI.Singh had on some occasions complained to the owner of a nearby dhaba about the noise caused by people gathering there, a senior police officer said. However, police had not received any formal complaint from Singh regarding the noise.The dhaba remained open until around midnight and attracted customers from neighbouring areas as well as students living nearby, police said.
Police examine racial angle, dhaba owner’s role
Police said they were examining all aspects of the case, including whether there was any racial angle. So far, the investigation has not revealed any instance of a racial slur being used against Singh during the altercation, a police source said.The FIR registered at Sunlight Colony police station on the complaint of Singh’s son mentions Section 103(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, pertaining to group murder in circumstances covered by the provision.Police are awaiting the post-mortem report to ascertain the exact nature of the injuries sustained by Singh. Prima facie, he appears to have suffered internal injuries that led to his death.The police are also examining the role of the dhaba owner and its operations. So far, no irregularity in the functioning of the establishment has come to light, sources said. Action would be taken against the owner if anything emerges during the investigation.CCTV footage is being scrutinised and witnesses are being questioned to establish the sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the assault.
Singh died hours after assault
The incident took place around 11.30 pm on Sunday when Singh went downstairs after hearing a commotion outside his home.According to the complaint, when his son heard his father shouting, he opened the door and saw a group of men kicking and punching him.Singh subsequently returned upstairs but complained of breathlessness. His 20-year-old son Yaiphaba took him to Holy Family Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around 6 am the following day, police said.Seven men have been arrested and a juvenile apprehended in connection with the case. The accused have been identified as Bharat Kumar, 19, Pramod, 26, Ramzan Khan, 22, Deepanshu, 21, Mohan Vishwakarma, 32, Vijay, 36, and Mannu, 26.
Northeast body seeks swift, impartial probe
The killing has sparked concern among members of Delhi’s northeastern community, with several residents alleging that people from the region face racial slurs and discrimination in the national capital.The North Eastern Students’ Organisation (NESO) on Wednesday condemned Singh’s killing and demanded a swift and impartial probe.NESO chairman Samuel B Jyrwa said the incident was deeply disturbing and called for all those responsible to be brought to justice.“It is deeply disturbing that a person can lose his life merely for raising an objection to disturbance outside his own home. We demand a transparent and impartial investigation and exemplary punishment for every person found responsible,” Jyrwa said in a statement, as cited by PTI.Jyrwa said the killing could not be viewed in isolation from what he described as continuing harassment, racial discrimination, stereotyping, intimidation and violence faced by people from the Northeast in different parts of mainland India.“For years, Northeastern citizens living, studying and working outside the region have repeatedly reported being subjected to racial slurs, verbal abuse, physical attacks, social discrimination and other forms of humiliation because of their appearance, identity and place of origin,” he alleged.NESO urged authorities to treat the matter with seriousness and urgency and ensure that nobody responsible for the crime evades accountability.“The law must be applied firmly and equally, irrespective of the identity or background of the perpetrators,” Jyrwa said.
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The organisation also called for stronger preventive measures, effective enforcement of the law, sensitisation of police and public institutions, and mechanisms to ensure the safety and dignity of people from the Northeast.“The loss of Chongtham Vikram Singh is not merely a personal tragedy for his family and loved ones, but a matter of deep concern for the entire Northeastern community,” Jyrwa said.
Who was Chongtham Vikram Singh?
Singh had lived in Kilokari for more than two decades. He was a well-known musician and guitarist, and had been the lead guitarist of the Manipur rock band Phoenix in the early 1980s.He later worked as a music teacher and performer in Delhi.NESO expressed solidarity with Singh’s family and the people of Manipur and demanded justice for him and accountability for everyone found responsible for his death.
