A Sikkimese rapper performs at a winter festival deep in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. On the way back, he and his manager are allegedly attacked. Now, a Chief Minister is making a personal promise that justice will be delivered.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu came out swinging on Thursday, condemning the alleged attack on Sikkimese rapper Ugen Namgyal Bhutia — popularly known as UNB — and his manager, and making it clear that what happened will not be swept under the rug.
The incident allegedly took place near Tiwari Gaon in the Lower Dibang Valley district, while UNB and his team were on their way back to Roing after performing at the Anini Winter Festival 5.0. A musician, traveling after doing what artists do — entertaining people — allegedly met with violence on a road in the Northeast. It’s the kind of story that sends a chill down the spine of anyone who believes art should be celebrated, not punished.
Speaking directly to reporters, CM Khandu didn’t mince his words. He said that artists who come to Arunachal Pradesh to perform are guests of the state and must be treated with respect, and must be provided a safe environment. That’s not just a political statement — it’s a message to every corner of the state.
There’s a larger context here, too. Khandu stressed that tourism is a major source of income for Arunachal Pradesh and that visitors — whether tourists or performers — should be received in the spirit of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” the ancient Indian principle that treats a guest as god. It’s a beautiful sentiment, and incidents like this one threaten to undo years of effort to put Arunachal on the map as a cultural and tourism destination.
What also stands out here is how quickly Khandu moved at a diplomatic level. He confirmed that he had already spoken personally to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, also known as Golay, about the incident, and assured him that appropriate action would be taken and justice delivered. Two Chief Ministers speaking directly over the welfare of a rapper from Sikkim — that’s not something you see every day, and it signals just how seriously this is being taken.
Police have registered a case in connection with the alleged attack and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The details are still emerging, and what exactly happened on that road near Tiwari Gaon will depend on what investigators uncover.
UNB is a name many in the Northeast hip-hop community know well. Artists like him are part of a growing wave of Northeast Indian musicians who are taking their culture, their language, and their stories to stages across the region. That someone like that could be targeted — allegedly attacked while simply making his way home after a performance — is a gut punch to an artistic community that already fights hard for visibility and safety.
Festivals like Anini Winter Festival 5.0 exist precisely to bring people together, to celebrate the rich culture of Arunachal Pradesh and invite artists from neighboring states into that story. If performers can’t travel safely after events like this, the damage goes far beyond one incident. It casts a shadow on every future invitation.
CM Khandu’s words were firm, his tone unmistakable. But words, as everyone knows, must be followed by action. The real test now lies with the investigators — and with whether justice for UNB is delivered as promised, not just pledged.
