The North Eastern Students’ Organisation (NESO) on September 9 strongly condemned the killing of 54-year-old Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh in Southeast Delhi and demanded an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.
Singh was allegedly beaten to death by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff outside his apartment in Kilokari village early Monday after he reportedly objected to them shouting and consuming alcohol in the area.
NESO chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa described the incident as deeply disturbing, saying it was tragic that a person lost his life simply for objecting to a disturbance outside his own home. He called for a fair and transparent investigation and exemplary punishment for everyone found responsible.
Jyrwa said the incident also highlighted the continuing concerns over harassment, racial discrimination, stereotyping and violence faced by people from the Northeast in various parts of mainland India.
“For years, Northeastern citizens living, studying and working outside the region have repeatedly reported facing 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 the authorities to treat the case with the utmost seriousness and ensure that no one responsible for Singh’s death escapes accountability. The organisation also called for stronger preventive measures, effective law enforcement and greater sensitisation of police and public institutions to protect the safety, dignity and rights of people from the Northeast.
Jyrwa said Singh’s death was not merely a personal tragedy for his family but a matter of serious concern for the entire Northeastern community.
NESO expressed solidarity with Singh’s family and the people of Manipur and demanded justice and accountability for all those responsible for his death.
