Union Minister Kiren Rijiju speaks to the media regarding the alleged killing of a Manipuri musician, who was beaten to death after objecting to noise and drinking outside his flat in the Kilokari area, in New Delhi on September 8, 2026
| Photo Credit: PTI
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Manipur Chief Minister Y.K. Khemchand Singh on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) called for swift and strict action against those responsible for the killing of Manipuri music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi condemned the killing and raised concerns over the safety of people from the Northeast in Delhi.In Imphal, a candlelight vigil organised by the Thangmeiband United Club was held at the western gate of the Kangla Fort in memory of Chongtham Vikram. Participants sought justice for the slain guitarist and punishment for those involved. Chongtham Ongbi Kamala, Mr. Singh’s 86-year-old mother and a reputed singer, said she never imagined her son would become a victim of violence against people from the Northeast in the “mainland”.“I keep reading news about people from our region being assaulted or killed in the metros and elsewhere in India. Today, the news is about my own son,” she said.In a statement to the media, Mr. Rijiju said the police had assured him that a chargesheet would be filed within eight to nine days. The Minister said he had a detailed discussion with police officers, who informed him that all eight accused had been arrested.Also Read: People of Manipur suffering both within and outside state under Modi Sarkar: Mallikarjun KhargeHe said the accused were food delivery workers belonging to different States, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. “The police have assured me that within eight to nine days a chargesheet will be filed and the strongest possible punishment will be given to these eight people,” he said, paying condolences to the family of Mr. Singh. Mr. Rijiju said he was in constant touch with police officers, including those from the Special Police Unit for North-Eastern Region, for regular updates.Condemning the killing, the Manipur Chief Minister urged his Delhi counterpart Rekha Gupta to ensure a fair and time-bound probe. He said "the tragic incident is a painful reminder of the safety concerns faced by people from the Northeast who live, study and work in the national capital” and that “such incidents must not be treated as isolated cases”.He also requested reinforced security measures across localities with significant populations of students and working professionals from Manipur and other northeastern States.Mr. Kharge said the “merciless lynching” by a mob was a “chilling reminder” of the alleged lawlessness under the BJP government. He said students, women, Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities remained vulnerable, while people from the Northeast continued to face discrimination.Also Read: People of Manipur suffering both within and outside state under Modi Sarkar: Mallikarjun Kharge“Under HM Amit Shah’s watch, Delhi has become a crime capital, with the NCRB recording the highest levels of crime in the national capital year after year,” Mr. Kharge said in a post on X. He offered condolences to Mr. Singh’s family and demanded “strictest action” against those responsible. He also accused the Centre of leaving people from Manipur to suffer both within and outside the State.Mr. Gandhi, in a Facebook post, said the Manipuri music teacher had gone downstairs to ask a group of men to lower the noise outside his home and was beaten to death. “A father, killed outside his own home, in his own country’s capital,” he said.He said the killing had raised questions about the safety of people from the Northeast living in Delhi. “After many such incidents, every Northeast family in Delhi is asking the same question today — are we safe here?” he said.Questioning the functioning of the Union Home Ministry and the Delhi police, Mr. Gandhi asked what they were doing to prevent what he described as “growing lawlessness”, especially against people from the Northeast. Conveying his condolences to Mr. Singh’s family, he called for a swift investigation and said those responsible must be brought to justice. Published - September 08, 2026 03:59 pm IST
