In the wake of the tragic death of 55-year-old Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, who was fatally assaulted outside his residence in South Delhi after a confrontation concerning disruptive behavior from a group of men, the Delhi Police have mandated all district Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to enhance patrols in areas populated by individuals from the Northeast, especially during late hours.
This directive was communicated during a meeting led by Joint Commissioner of Police Veenu Bansal from the Special Police Unit for the North-Eastern Region (SPUNER) earlier this month. The meeting aimed to address the safety concerns of residents from the North-Eastern states, Gorkhas from Darjeeling, and Ladakhis residing in the Capital.
The discussions were prompted by Singh’s murder, which occurred on September 7 in Kilokari village. Attendees reviewed strategies to bolster police engagement with local communities, particularly students.
The police have instructed DCPs to increase visible law enforcement presence in neighborhoods with significant North-Eastern populations to avert potential incidents and enhance the community’s sense of safety.
According to an officer, “District DCPs, appointed as nodal officers, have been instructed to conduct regular meetings at the district level with students, community leaders, and Delhi Police North-Eastern Representatives (DPNERs).”
Additionally, police station-level outreach and educational initiatives are to be organized for North-Eastern residents to strengthen interactions between law enforcement and the community, as well as to raise awareness about available police support and SPUNER services. The DCPs have also been tasked with promptly notifying SPUNER about any incidents involving individuals from the North-Eastern region, whether as victims or suspects.
Local police units are encouraged to collaborate with the SPUNER office and DPNERs to overcome communication barriers or language issues when engaging with individuals from the North-East.
Furthermore, police districts and units have been directed to review all outstanding cases involving North-Eastern individuals and provide updates on their status and actions taken to SPUNER for timely resolution.
Sakshi Chand, an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express in New Delhi, has over ten years of expertise in investigative journalism, focusing on crime, the prison system, and governance issues in the National Capital.
Her reporting covers high-profile crimes, national security, prison reform, and traffic management, with notable coverage of significant events such as the 2G spectrum scandal, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and various communal conflicts in Uttar Pradesh.
Before her tenure at The Indian Express, she worked with The Times of India as a reporter.
Outside of journalism, Sakshi is a national-level basketball player and coach, integrating her athletic discipline into her professional endeavors.
In late 2025, her reporting has prominently featured a significant terror investigation and issues of administrative accountability, including coverage of a car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort and various crime-related stories.
Her investigative style is characterized by a focus on data-driven reporting, forensic analyses, and a commitment to uncovering the truth beyond official narratives, particularly in the realm of prison reporting, which emphasizes the legal and humanitarian conditions within detention facilities.
