'Treat Northeast people as Indians': Brother of Manipur musician beaten to death in Delhi

IMPHAL: The brother of Manipuri guitarist and music teacher Chongtham Vikram Singh urged the government to ensure that people from the Northeast are “properly treated as Indians” in the national capital.The statement came as the musician’s mortal remains arrived in Imphal following his death after an alleged assault in New Delhi.According to news agency ANI, Chongtham Vivek Singh said the family wanted justice for his brother and a safer environment for people from the Northeast.“We want justice and we want the government to ensure that people from the Northeast are properly treated as Indians in Delhi,” Vivek said.Vivek said the family hoped the authorities would take appropriate action and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.“It’s a very sad moment for us right now. The people of Manipur, and people from across the Northeast, have been suffering here in the capital of India, Delhi. This is a very painful and significant loss for all of us," Vivek added."We want justice- not only justice, but also an atmosphere in the capital of India where people coming from the Northeast are treated with dignity, respect, and equality. No one should have to face discrimination or feel unsafe simply because of where they come from, " Vivek further added.Singer Hamom Sadananda, who was present at the airport to receive Singh’s body, remembered him as a humble and down-to-earth person and called for strict action against those responsible for his death.“I am here to receive the dead body of my brother. He was a lovely, humble, and down-to-earth person. It is heartbreaking to see what has happened to him. It is extremely unfortunate that people from the Northeast continue to face discrimination in our own country," he said.He added, "Ye acha nhi ho rha hai…This is not right. We are citizens of India too, and we deserve to be treated with the same dignity, respect, and equality as every other citizen of this country. What has happened to my brother should never be repeated in India. I demand that the concerned authorities ensure justice and take the strictest possible action against those responsible, so that no one else has to suffer like this again.”The mortal remains of the 54-year-old musician arrived at Imphal International Airport on Wednesday, where grieving family members, friends, fellow musicians and local residents gathered to receive his body and demand justice over his death.Vikram Singh died in New Delhi following an alleged brutal assault in the Sunlight Colony, Kilokari village area.His death has triggered grief across Manipur and among the Manipuri community in Delhi. Family members and fellow musicians have also raised concerns over the safety, dignity and equal treatment of people from the Northeast in the national capital.The musician’s death has prompted mourning across the Northeast and among the community in Delhi.Hundreds of people gathered at Kangla Western Gate on Tuesday for a candlelight vigil in his memory.(With agency inputs)Stay updated with the latest Imphal news. Download the TOI App.