Manipur musician’s murder revives fears of racism, harassment among Northeast residents in Kilokari

Two weeks after 54-year-old Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh was beaten to death in Kilokari village in southeast Delhi on September 6, residents from the northeastern States say years of racial slurs, harassment, stereotyping and attacks have left them feeling like outsiders despite having built their lives in the neighbourhood.

For Chandam Miroda Devi, 38, who lives directly below Singh’s house, the sounds of the assault continue to haunt her.

Around 4 a.m., Ms. Devi received a call from the community president asking whether she knew about an assault in the house above. By 6.32 a.m., Singh had died at Holy Family Hospital, about three kilometres away.

Chongtham Vikram Singh was beaten to death on September 6. | Photo Credit: Kannal Achuthan 10042@Chennai