Naga Man Found Dead in Chirag Dilli

 Cause of Death Unknown, No Arrests Made

New Delhi, July 7, 2014 – In a tragic incident, a 28-year-old man from Manipur was found dead in South Delhi’s Chirag Dilli on Sunday morning.

The deceased, identified as Wilungbou Chawang, hailed from Oklong village in Senapati district. His body was discovered in a drain between Sheikh Sarai and Chirag Dilli, with visible injury marks on his head.

The exact cause of death remains unclear. A post-mortem was conducted at AIIMS on Sunday evening, and authorities were awaiting the report at the time of filing this story.

Throughout the day, several community leaders and individuals from the Northeast gathered at AIIMS mortuary and Malviya Nagar police station, demanding justice and showing solidarity.

On Sunday evening, a police team led by IPS officer Robin Hibu, Joint Commissioner of Police (also the Nodal Officer for Northeast Affairs), along with BS Jaiswal, DCP South, and Northeast community leaders, visited the site where Wilungbou’s body was found.

Local residents suggested that Wilungbou might have scaled a wall and jumped into the drain, where he allegedly drowned. However, his younger brother Caleb refuted this claim. “My brother was a good swimmer. How could he drown in shallow water? And how did he sustain head injuries?” he questioned. Police have yet to provide satisfactory answers.

The location where Wilungbou’s body was found is several minutes away from the house of his friend, where he had dinner on Saturday night. “It takes at least 5-7 minutes to reach by running or walking fast,” noted Robin Hibu. He assured that police are investigating the case.

Wilungbou and his brother Caleb had been living in Naraina for four years. While Wilungbou worked at a BPO, Caleb was preparing for competitive exams. Their father is a retired pastor, and their mother is a homemaker. The two brothers were their parents' only children.

The Night Before

On Saturday afternoon, Wilungbou went to visit friends in Chirag Dilli. Later in the evening, he and his friend Denise went to Old Delhi railway station to purchase a ticket to Gwalior. However, they were unable to do so as they lacked identity cards. They then returned to their friend Neil’s residence in Chirag Dilli, where they had dinner.

According to Denise, after he stepped out of the washroom, he asked Neil about Wilungbou. Neil replied that he was outside talking on the phone. Initially, they assumed he was engaged in a conversation with a friend, but as time passed and he didn’t return, they grew concerned and began searching for him.

Believing that Wilungbou may have gone home, they called Caleb, who confirmed that he had not returned. “When we tried calling him, his phone was switched off. This must have been around 1 or 2 a.m.,” said Denise. They alerted neighbors and searched the area but found no trace of him.

“I learned about my brother’s death through one of our church elders, who informed me at around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday,” Caleb said.

Wilungbou’s body was retrieved from the drain by police after locals reported it. Caleb filed a complaint at Malviya Nagar police station, and police assured that an FIR would be registered on Monday.

Questions Remain

Many who visited the scene found it hard to believe that Wilungbou climbed the wall and jumped into the drain. Some strongly suspected foul play, believing that he was murdered and his body disposed of in the water.

In Imphal, family members, friends, well-wishers, and church elders from Liangmai Baptist Church received Wilungbou’s body on Monday morning. His remains were then taken to his native village, located approximately 100 km from Manipur’s capital, for the funeral.

“My parents had a bad dream about my brother the previous Sunday. They had warned us to be careful,” Caleb revealed.

Chirag Dilli is home to a large population of Northeast Indians, yet concerns over safety persist. Just a year ago, in 2013, Reingamphy Awungshi, a young girl from Manipur, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her rented room. Now, Wilungbou Chawang has met a similar fate.

Who will be next? Is Delhi truly safe for Northeast residents?

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
Special Correspondent, New Delhi
THE MIZORAM POST | MANIPUR CHRONICLE | ZOGAMT ODAY

 

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