Correspondent
IMPHAL, Sep 9: The body of Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who died following an alleged assault in New Delhi on September 7, was brought to Imphal on Wednesday for his final rites.
Hundreds of his friends, well-wishers joined the family members and relatives to receive his mortal remains upon arrival at the Imphal airport in the forenoon.
Several mourners broke down while receiving the mortal remains.
The 54-year-old Manipuri guitarist and music teacher died after an alleged assault in Delhi. He was a son of renowned veteran Manipuri singer Chongtham Kamala.
As per the FIR registered at New Delhi’s Sunlight Colony police station, on September 7, the accused allegedly entered the building and chased Singh up three floors before assaulting him with kicks and blows after he allegedly objected to loud noise and nuisance outside his residence.
The tragic incident triggered widespread condemnation not only in Manipur and other northeast states but also in the national and state political circle.
The bereaved family expressed deep sorrow over his death and called for justice to be delivered at the earliest and greater safety for people from the Northeast
They urged the authorities to ensure a fair investigation and stringent punishment for all those responsible for the alleged killing.
Vikram’s mother recalled her son’s childhood and while sharing his emotional memories of the musician said that his (Vikram’s) last call was a joyful one.
“He (Vikram) spoke happily about his son securing distinction in his semester examination,” Kamala said, adding that it made the call particularly memorable for her.
Brother of the deceased, Chongtham Vivek, said that strict punishment must be awarded to those responsible for the death while completing the investigation and legal proceedings at the earliest.
According to Vivek, his brother received death threats and told his son that the men who assaulted him had come from a dhaba located opposite their residence in Kilokari, southeast Delhi.
Meanwhile, artistes, singers and musicians who converged at the airport to receive the lifeless body of the guitarist called for capital punishment for those responsible for the killing of their fraternity member while expressing concern over racial discrimination faced by people from the northeast region in the mainland.
Renowned singer Sadananda Hamom said that the incident renewed the concerns over racial discrimination faced by people from the region in Delhi and other cities of the country.
He demanded that the authorities must take the strongest possible action against those responsible and ensure an end to racial discrimination against people from the region
The singer described Vikram as a “very loveable and down-to-earth person” and added that his death following an alleged assault was deeply unfortunate.
The mortal remains were taken to the family residence at Thangmeiband Lourungpurel in Imphal West, where the last rites will be performed.