He was chased back to his apartment.
Manipuri guitarist Chongtham Vikram Singh has died in Delhi after allegedly being assaulted by a group of men outside his home.
The 55-year-old died following an altercation that reportedly began over noise outside his residence in Kilokari village in south-east Delhi.
His death has sent shockwaves through the Manipuri community and the broader Northeast community living across the Indian capital.
According to reports, the incident unfolded at around 11.30 pm on September 6, 2026, when Singh came downstairs after noticing a disturbance outside his home.
Police said Singh, who belonged to the Meitei community, objected to the alleged nuisance created by a group of men.
The argument that followed allegedly turned violent, with Singh suffering severe injuries during the confrontation with the group of men.
Reports suggest he was chased back to his apartment, where the group allegedly caught up with him and continued the assault in the corridor.
His son Yaiphaba rushed him to Holy Family Hospital, where Singh died while undergoing treatment for the injuries he had sustained.
Seven people have been arrested in connection with the case, along with a juvenile, following the fatal incident in Kilokari village.
The accused have been identified as Bharat Kumar, 19, Pramod, 26, Ramzan Khan, 22, Deepanshu, 21, Mohan Vishwakarma, 32, Vijay, 36, and Mannu, 26.
Police have registered FIR No. 296/26 under Sections 103(2) and 3(5), and a copy has been handed over to Singh’s family.
Senior police officers, including the DCP, have met the family and assured them that lawful action would be taken.
For those familiar with Manipur’s Western music scene, Singh was a well-known and deeply respected figure within the community.
He was considered one of the early figures in the state’s rock music movement and played lead guitar with bands including Ultra Vires, Phoenix and Eastern Dark.
Music eventually brought him to Delhi, where he spent approximately seventeen years working as a private music teacher.
He dedicated those years to mentoring young musicians, becoming a trusted and beloved figure in the capital’s music circles.
His was a life largely away from the glare of celebrity but one that left a lasting mark on the musicians he taught and guided.
Singh carried an impressive artistic legacy within his family that extended well beyond his own considerable contributions to music.
He was the eldest son of celebrated Manipuri singer Chongtham Kamala, who lent her voice to Matamgi Manipur (1972), widely regarded as the first Manipuri feature film.
His cousin, filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, added to the family’s cultural significance when her film Boong became the first Indian film to win a BAFTA.
Singh carried that remarkable artistic legacy in his own quiet way through his guitar, his teaching and his lifelong dedication to music.
The reaction to his death within the Northeast community has been deeply emotional.
For many in the Manipuri and Northeast communities, Singh’s killing has reopened long-standing anxieties about the safety of Northeast people.
Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed his grief over the musician’s death and called on the Delhi Police to conduct a prompt investigation.
