Delhi: Hearing a commotion outside her home around midnight on Sunday, a neighbour of Manipuri musician C Vikram Singh briefly stepped out to see a group of people chasing someone before fear forced her to shut her door, only to learn the next morning that the victim was Singh, who had been beaten to death.
The neighbour, who is also from Manipur and lives on the second floor of the same building where Singh stayed on the third floor, recalled the traumatising events on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old musician (guitarist) was allegedly assaulted by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff after he objected to them shouting and drinking alcohol outside his apartment in Kilokari village of southeast Delhi, according to police.
“I saw some people running behind a person. I had no idea who they were as it was dark outside. They were abusing him and, due to fear and the late hour, I closed my door,” the neighbour said.
She described Singh as a humble and soft-spoken man who had lived in the locality for around eight to nine years.
“He was a very humble man. He never even raised his voice. They were shouting so much that even I was feeling unsafe after hearing the loud noise,” the woman, who did not wish to be identified, said.
She alleged that the accused had first gone to Singh’s residence and assaulted him there before chasing and attacking him outside.
It was only the next morning that she learnt that Singh had been severely beaten.
Singh sustained injuries in the assault, following which his son Yaiphaba took him to Holy Family Hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
Police have arrested seven men and apprehended a juvenile in connection with the case. The accused were identified as Bharat Kumar (19), Pramod (26), Ramzan Khan (22), Deepanshu (21), Mohan Vishwakarma (32), Vijay (36) and Mannu (26). Police said they all work at different dhabas and food stalls.
The Sunlight Colony police station had received a PCR call regarding the incident. A preliminary enquiry found that Singh had objected to a group of men creating a nuisance outside his house, police said, adding they were investigating whether there was a racist motive in the crime.
The incident has also sparked concern among members of the northeastern community in Delhi, with residents alleging that they continue to face racist slurs and discrimination.
“We always face racism here. Several people call us Chinese or Momo. We are Indian and we feel proud. Why do others not think of us as Indians?” the neighbour said.
She said people from the Northeast come to Delhi in search of better opportunities and should not have to face discrimination or abuse.
Another neighbour said that “residents were deeply disturbed that another Indian brother had been killed after objecting to loud noise and drinking”.
A candle march was also taken out by residents and members of the community, who demanded strict action against those responsible for Singh’s death.
The North East Students Society, Delhi University (NESSDU), had condoled Singh’s death and described him as a respected Manipuri musician. It called the incident a senseless act of violence and urged authorities to ensure a swift, fair and thorough investigation.
Police said the investigation into the circumstances leading to the assault and Singh’s death is underway.
