GUWAHATI: 54-year-old musician C. Vikram Singh, originally from Manipur, died in Delhi following an alleged physical assault in the Maharani Bagh area of the city. His death has triggered widespread condemnation and political controversy over the safety of people from Manipur and the broader Northeast region in Delhi.
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Singer and composer Joi Baruah called it "a plain murder, not an accident," saying it has "brought shame on Delhi's recent history of racial prejudice" and urged that the harshest laws be applied to those responsible.
Rafiqul Islam, MLA, said such incidents involving people from the Northeast "occur in various parts of the country" and are "unfortunate," noting there have been many similar incidents in the past. He condemned the act and called on the Government of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs to take the matter seriously, arrest the accused, and ensure the strictest possible punishment.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has promised that a chargesheet in the case will be filed within 8–9 days.
The case has triggered a political uproar, with the Centre stressing swift action against the accused, while the Congress has targeted the Narendra Modi government over the safety of people from Manipur and the Northeast more broadly.