IMPHAL | The mortal remains of Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who died two days ago after allegedly being assaulted in New Delhi, were brought to Imphal on Wednesday, with a large number of relatives, friends and members of the artist community gathering to pay their last respects.

Singh’s remains were taken to his residence at Thangmeiband in Imphal West, where artists, musicians and members of the Manipur film fraternity gathered before his last rites were performed at Khoyathong in Imphal East. After the funeral, Singh’s younger brother, Chongtham Vivek, said the family was awaiting justice while re- specting the ongoing investigation into the alleged assault. “We respect the due course of inves- tigation.

However, the family is wait- ing for justice. Neither do we want to politicise the matter. Let this be the last such incident,” Vivek told reporters. The death has triggered concern among artists and members of the Northeast community over the safety and treatment of people from the re- gion living outside the Northeast.

Popular Manipuri singer H Sad- ananda, who paid tribute to Singh, de- manded stringent action against those responsible for the alleged assault. “We can never forget how he died. People respect us only when we win medals for the country. People from the Northeast need to be united,” Sadananda said.Artists, musicians and members of Manipur’s film fraternity also gathered at Singh’s residence to offer floral tributes and express solidarity with his family.Singh, 54, was a prominent figure in Manipur’s rock music movement and had been associated with bands such as Phoenix and Eastern Dark.

He later moved to Delhi, where he worked as a music teacher. His death has deeply affected Manipur’s artistic community, with fellow musicians remembering him for his contribution to the growth of contemporary music in the state. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police investi- gation into the case is continuing. Sev- en people have been arrested in con- nection with the alleged assault, while a minor has also been apprehended. The incident has also intensified calls for stronger measures to ensure the safety of people from the Northeast in metropolitan cities.