Members of the Manipuri and wider Northeast communities took to the streets of southeast Delhi on September 7, holding candles and demanding justice following the death of 54-year-old music teacher and guitarist Chongtham Vikram, who allegedly died after being assaulted by a group of men in Kilokari.
The candlelight march began at Sunlight Colony Police Station and continued to Chauhan Park in Phase 1 of Sunlight Colony. Protesters demanded strict legal action against everyone allegedly responsible for Vikram’s death.
Vikram had been living in the area with his wife and son for around 10 years. He was allegedly attacked after objecting to loud noise and a disturbance outside his residence. According to reports, around seven to eight men were involved in the assault, leaving him critically injured.
His son later rushed him to a nearby hospital, where Vikram succumbed to his injuries.
The incident has sparked anger and concern among members of the Manipuri community and the wider Northeast population in Delhi. Protesters gathered outside Sunlight Colony Police Station, demanding justice and insisting that every person allegedly involved in the assault be held accountable.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Southeast Delhi, said an FIR has been registered as FIR No. 296/26 under Sections 103(2) and 3(5). Police said a copy of the FIR has also been provided to Vikram’s family.
The DCP and other senior police officials met the bereaved family and assured them that appropriate legal action would be taken.
According to police, all the accused persons have been identified and apprehended. The investigation is continuing to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances surrounding Vikram’s death.
Vikram was a familiar name in Manipur’s Western music scene. He had played guitar with bands including Ultra Vires, Phoenix and Eastern Dark. He was also the eldest son of renowned Manipuri singer Chongtham Kamala.
The North East Students’ Society, Delhi University (NESSDU), has condemned the alleged assault and called for a swift and impartial investigation. Members of the Northeast community and civil society organisations have also demanded that everyone allegedly responsible be identified and prosecuted.
Some community members have alleged that Vikram may have been targeted because of his racial identity. However, police have not established any such motive so far. The circumstances and motive behind the alleged assault remain under investigation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over Vikram’s death and questioned the steps being taken by the Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police to address what he described as growing lawlessness, particularly against people from the Northeast.
In a statement, Gandhi said Vikram, whom he described as a renowned musician from Manipur, had gone downstairs to ask a group of men to lower the noise outside his home and was subsequently beaten to death.
Gandhi questioned whether people from the Northeast feel safe in Delhi and asked what Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Ministry of Home Affairs and the Delhi Police were doing to prevent such incidents.
He called for a swift investigation and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. He also expressed his condolences to Vikram’s family.
Delhi Police said, “Necessary legal action is being taken as per law. Further facts will be established during investigation.”
