‘I’ve lost my husband, my son his father’: Manipuri musician’s family grapples with loss

On Tuesday, Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh's family mourned the loss of their husband and father. Joshna Chongtham, his widow, spoke about the tragic incident that took his life. Vikram was allegedly beaten to death on Sunday night after he confronted a group of men who were creating noise outside their home in South Delhi. Joshna was present with Vikram's brother and a relative, expressing her grief through a statement read from a statement while wiping away tears.

According to Joshna, her husband rushed upstairs to their third-floor home in Kilokari village, pursued by eight men who assaulted him before fleeing. He was rushed to Holy Family Hospital's emergency room, where his low blood pressure led to his untimely demise around 6 am. The family, concerned for their safety, has since been residing elsewhere.

Despite the recent tragedy, Joshna expressed gratitude for the support her family has received and hoped that other families would not face a similar loss. She requested that justice be served and that the circumstances surrounding Vikram's death be thoroughly investigated. For many in Manipur, Vikram was a well-known figure in the state's music scene, particularly as the lead guitarist of the 1980s band Phoenix and a music teacher in Delhi.

The family, though devastated, did not allege that the assault was racially motivated, but the event has been described as an instance of racial violence, raising concerns over the safety of the Manipuri community living in the capital. The family requested privacy during this difficult time, and the body will be flown back to Manipur on Tuesday for final rites.