Singh, who played lead guitar for bands in Manipur and later taught at the Delhi School of Music, went downstairs around 11pm to stop the group from creating a ruckus. He suffered severe injuries, was rushed to Holy Family Hospital, and passed away during treatment.
Incident Details and Hospitalization
According to Singh’s family, the eight men were intoxicated and making a disturbance outside the residence late Sunday night. When Singh went down to intervene, he was allegedly beaten mercilessly. Moments later, family members heard him banging on the door and screaming, “Thong hango! Thong hango! (open the door, open the door).” His 20-year-old son, Yaiphaba, found him in a semi-conscious state with his T-shirt ripped apart. Hospital doctors discovered that Singh’s blood pressure had fallen below 50mm Hg, leaving his condition too critical for surgery before he died at approximately 6:30am on Monday.
Musical Legacy and Family Background
A resident of Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai in Imphal West, Singh built a vibrant career around his passion for music, opening a music school in Delhi and mentoring students at home. His professional journey included performing with the Rock’n’Roots project alongside Rajasthani folk singer Mame Khan and collaborating with other renowned musicians for concerts and cultural shows. Singh is a cousin of Lakshmipriya Devi, the director of India’s first BAFTA Award-winning film, Boong. He is survived by his wife, Jyotsana, a 54-year-old senior consultant with an MNC, and his son Yaiphaba, a law student. His mother, Chongtham Ongbi Kamala Devi, is an 86-year-old renowned classical and modern Manipuri singer.
Did You Know? Chongtham Vikram Singh’s mother, 86-year-old Chongtham Ongbi Kamala Devi, is a renowned classical and modern Manipuri singer, and he is a cousin of Lakshmipriya Devi, the director of India’s first BAFTA Award-winning film, Boong.
Community Response and Protests
Following the tragedy, Northeast student groups, friends, and family members staged a protest outside the Sunlight Colony police station. Manipuri associations in Delhi stated that although the postmortem examination was finished, they opposed sending Singh’s body back to Manipur until justice was secured. A Manipuri activist in Delhi noted that once last rites are completed, families are left to bear the loss alone while incidents fade into oblivion. Meanwhile, Singh’s brother, Vivek, speaking from Imphal, shared that the family has withheld the news from Singh’s 96-year-old father, Dr Chongtham Birendra Singh, out of fear that he cannot bear the loss, while their mother remains unconsolable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Chongtham Vikram Singh?
According to his family, Singh was allegedly beaten outside his home by eight intoxicated individuals who were creating a ruckus late Sunday night. He died during treatment on Monday morning.
Where was Singh’s musical career based?
Singh played lead guitar for bands in Manipur before moving to Delhi nearly 20 years ago, where he opened a music school, taught at the Delhi School of Music, and collaborated on projects like Rock’n’Roots.
Why have community members protested?
Northeast student groups, friends, and family members staged a protest outside the Sunlight Colony police station, and Manipuri associations insisted that Singh’s body not be sent back to Manipur until justice is served.
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