Manipur musician’s murder revives fears of racism, harassment among Northeast residents in Kilokari - The HinduPublished - September 21, 2026 01:32 am IST - New DelhiSeveral people from the northeastern States have lived and worked in Delhi’s Kilokari village for years. | Photo Credit: Lavpreet Kaur _12072Two weeks after 54-year-old Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh was beaten to death in Kilokari village in southeast Delhi on September 6, residents from the northeastern States say years of racial slurs, harassment, stereotyping and attacks have left them feeling like outsiders despite having built their lives in the neighbourhood. For Chandam Miroda Devi, 38, who lives directly below Singh’s house, the sounds of the assault continue to haunt her. Around 4 a.m., Ms. Devi received a call from the community president asking whether she knew about an assault in the house above. By 6.32 a.m., Singh had died at Holy Family Hospital, about three kilometres away. Chongtham Vikram Singh was beaten to death on September 6. | Photo Credit: Kannal Achuthan 10042@Chennai‘Unable to sleep’“I am unable to sleep. The sounds of that night keep rewinding in my head. I fear someone is knocking at my door. They came to his house and assaulted him, causing his death. How safe are we?” she said. Kilokari, less than a kilometre from Ashram metro station, is a densely packed neighbourhood of multi-storey buildings, shops, salons and eateries. Several people from the northeast have lived and worked here for years, some for over two decades, but residents say racial slurs, stereotyping and harassment remain common. Ms. Devi said terms such as “momo”, “chinky”, “Nepali” and “Chinese” are directed at members of the community. “Despite living in our own country, we are made to feel like outsiders. We were born in Manipur, is that our mistake? We come here to build our lives, work hard and pay our rents, but we are still not given even the bare minimum of respect,” she said. ‘Become more cautious’Since the killing, residents say they have become more cautious about stepping out, particularly in the evening. The community has discussed avoiding confrontations or retaliation when subjected to teasing or abuse. Sangeeta Keisam, another resident, said the community felt watched and judged in the days immediately after the incident. “For three days, we were shocked and upset. We felt people were constantly watching us,” she said. Residents say they often prefer to live in clusters in areas such as Kilokari, Safdarjung Enclave and Munirka because they feel safer among people from the same region. Ms. Keisam said this also led to generalisations about the community, including over their clothing, appearance and tendency to socialise in groups. Ruchida Sharma, who has lived in the area for about 20 years, said, “If this had been someone from another community objecting to loud music or a nuisance, perhaps it would not have escalated this way. There is a mindset that asks, ‘Why are these outsiders telling locals what to do?’ That thinking needs to change,” she said. Questions over the killing Residents have also questioned the circumstances of Singh’s killing. Some eyewitnesses said he was assaulted at the main door of his third-floor residence, contrary to the police’s initial version that the assault took place downstairs in the locality. “He did not go anywhere. They climbed up to his home and attacked him. That thought is scary,” Ms. Sharma said. Responding to the claim, a southeast Delhi police officer said the assault was “continuing” and did not take place at only one location. The sequence of events, the officer said, had been established through CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, including those of family members. Police said the assault was triggered by “sudden provocation” and that the accused were not found prima facie to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, though medical reports are awaited. The AIIMS post-mortem recorded multiple rib fractures and a laceration of Singh’s spleen. Seven men have been arrested and a minor apprehended. For residents, however, the concern extends beyond the investigation. “Why are these cases happening again and again? They (authorities) say there are provisions and helplines for people from the northeast. Then why does this keep happening? There must be gaps and loopholes,” Ms. Keisam said. The concerns come against a longer history of reported violence and racial discrimination against people from the northeast in Delhi. In May this year, a woman from Assam alleged that she was stalked and molested by a group of men near Nehru Place. In March, a 37-year-old Manipuri woman lawyer alleged that a group of teenage boys subjected her to racial and lewd abuse and attacked her at a park in Malviya Nagar. In February, three women from Arunachal Pradesh allege racial abuse in Malviya Nagar. Meanwhile, following the recent incident, residents of Kilokari have sought increased police patrolling. Published - September 21, 2026 01:32 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }