Manipuri musician beaten to death for objecting to noise outside South Delhi home

Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh was beaten to death late Sunday night, allegedly by a group of men outside his South Delhi home following an argument over the accused making a ruckus. Singh, 55, is survived by his wife and a son.

According to family sources, the incident occurred around 11.30 pm on Sunday when Singh stepped out of his home in Kilokari village and asked the men – according to the police, most are delivery executives – not to make noise.

The family said the confrontation quickly turned violent and Singh sustained serious injuries in the assault. His son, Yaiphaba, took him to Holy Family Hospital in Okhla for treatment, but he succumbed early Monday morning.

The hospital report cited haemorrhagic shock caused by blunt force trauma as the cause of death. Singh, lead guitarist of Manipur’s legendary rock band Phoenix in the early 1980s, was regarded as a pioneer of the state's rock music scene.

He started his music career as a lead guitarist of a band called Ultra Vires. After his stint with Phoenix, he joined a famous local band called Eastern Dark. Later, he left Manipur and continued his career as a music teacher in New Delhi.

Vivek Sharma, the lead vocalist of Phoenix, called Singh a “truly irreplaceable person, a dear friend and an elder brother”. “Whenever there was a need for accuracy, perfection, and to make things happen behind the scenes, he was the only one.

Whether it was in a band or a group, he quietly gave his best without ever seeking recognition. He was a humble soul with no ego, no animosity, just a peaceful soul who loved music. He was one of those rare people who would do it all, yet receive acknowledgement from almost no one.

His contribution was often behind the scenes, but it was always essential,” he said. Singh came from a family with a strong musical legacy. His mother, Chongtham Kamala, is a renowned classical singer from Manipur, once regarded as the “Lata Mangeshkar of the Manipuri film industry”.

Kamala sang for Matamgi Manipur (1972), the first Manipuri feature film, and went on to record numerous other songs, while also contributing to the region’s cultural space through talks and workshops. Before she found success in Manipuri cinema, she gained popularity in the state as an approved broadcast singer at All India Radio, Imphal.

She is 85, lives in Imphal and continues to conduct masterclasses in the Manipuri capital with filmmaker and composer Aribam Syam Sharma. Sunday night’s incident came to light after the Sunlight Colony police station received a PCR call about Singh being beaten near his home, where he had been living for several years.

Most of the accused, aged between 19 and 36, work as delivery agents in the area, the police said. Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said he was “deeply concerned by the incident in which Singh was allegedly assaulted near his residence in southeast Delhi”.

“His 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,” he wrote. Tagging the Delhi Police and CM Rakha Gupta, he added, “With evidence now emerging in connection with the incident, I urge the Delhi Police to take swift and appropriate action, thoroughly investigate the matter, and ensure that justice is delivered at the earliest.” The killing also drew condemnation from the North East Students Society Delhi University (NESSDU), which sought a prompt and impartial probe.

Biru Chida Sharma, an acquaintance, said, “He taught guitar to children in Delhi and contributed significantly to the people of Manipur… Our demand is clear: our brother must get justice.”