Manipur Musician's Killing in Delhi Sparks Political Clash

The brutal killing of a 54-year-old musician from Manipur in south Delhi has triggered a political confrontation between the central government and the opposition, even as police arrested seven suspects and detained a minor.

Chongtham Vikram Singh, a guitarist and music teacher from the Meitei community, was attacked late at night in his Kilokri residence after he asked a group of men to lower the noise from a nearby dhaba. CCTV footage shows the assailants entering the building, and later, Singh's teenage son carrying his injured father down the stairs to rush him to hospital. Singh later succumbed to his injuries.

Friends and colleagues remembered Singh as a humble, soft-spoken man who had lived in Delhi for nearly a decade, teaching music and performing with several bands. The Delhi Manipuri Academic Fraternity described his contribution to the city's cultural life as significant.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of people from the northeast in the national capital. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, questioned the Union Home Ministry and Delhi Police about their efforts to curb "growing lawlessness," asking whether families from the northeast can feel safe in Delhi.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, himself from Arunachal Pradesh, hit back, accusing Gandhi of politicising a tragedy. "This is not the time for politics," Rijiju said, stressing that immediate action was taken. He noted that the Delhi Police's special northeast cell responded swiftly, arresting the suspects even though they had fled. Rijiju added that a chargesheet would be filed within eight to nine days to ensure speedy and stringent punishment.

Singh's wife, Joshna Chongtham, released a statement expressing grief and requesting privacy while urging authorities to conduct a fair investigation. "We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking justice," she said, asking that all those responsible be held accountable under the law.