Imphal/Churachandpur, Jul 4: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday attended the last rites of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte in Churachandpur district and said his deepest regret was not being able to stand by his side when he was assaulted by a mob in the state capital.
Singh travelled by helicopter to the Kuki-Zomi-majority district amid protests. At least six Kuki organisations boycotted his visit, demanding a permanent resolution to the simmering ethnic conflict in the state.
“Today, I had a (virtual) meeting with the Union home minister (Amit Shah). That’s why I didn’t come by road,” the chief minister said.
Describing Valte as “a very calm person”, Singh said, “When I was first elected in 2017 and became the assembly speaker, he was one of my best friends..
Recalling the incident of May 4, 2023, Singh said they had all been together discussing ways to control the violence. He expressed regret that he was not with Valte that evening, saying he believed the attack might not have taken place had he been by his side.
He also said that on the evening of May 3 that year, deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen had wanted to return to Kangpokpi, but he persuaded her to stay back because of mob violence. She was eventually sent with full security at 2 am the following day.
“Today, I came here to pay my last respects to my friend Pu Valte. Being able to attend his last rites is a huge honour for me. Valte’s family is like my family. His friends and loved ones are my friends too, and I will always extend my support to them,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Singh said restoring peace was the foremost priority for the government, maintaining that dialogue remained the only viable path to resolving differences and rebuilding normalcy.
“Peace is the only way Manipur can move forward on the path of development, and dialogue is the only way to achieve it. Your smile is the way for peace,” he said, expressing hope for reconciliation and harmony.
Singh said visiting Churachandpur after nearly three years made him feel good, describing the visit as a positive experience amid ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the state.
The chief minister was accompanied by MLA Tongbram Robindro during his visit to the district.
Valte, a three-time legislator from Thanlon constituency, was buried at a cemetery in Dorcas Veng village.
The body of the 61-year-old BJP leader from the Zomi community had been kept at the Churachandpur District Hospital since it was brought from Delhi in February.
He had been battling serious injuries sustained in a mob attack in Imphal’s Nagamapal area when ethnic violence broke out in May 2023, and had gone to Delhi for medical treatment.
After nearly two years of treatment, Valte returned home to Churachandpur with his wife in April last year.
On February 7, his condition suddenly worsened, and he was flown to the national capital by air ambulance the next day. He died at a private hospital in Gurugram on February 20.
Following his death, various Zomi organisations formed the Zomi Coordination Committee (ZCC) to oversee matters related to the late legislator, including engagement with the Centre, the state government and other authorities on issues of justice and accountability, resulting in a delay in his burial, sources in the community said.
The ZCC recently resolved to hand over Valte’s mortal remains to his family to enable them to perform the final rites, they said.
The committee’s demands included a time-bound probe by the NIA or CBI into the attack on the MLA that led to his death, and the grant of Union Territory status with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo-majority areas of Manipur, which it viewed as essential for the community’s development on par with others, sources said.
Valte had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting the need for a separate administration.
At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 in ethnic violence between the valley-based Meiteis and the Kukis, who live in the hill districts.
Following continued ethnic clashes and the resignation of chief minister N Biren Singh, the state was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. It was lifted nearly a year later, on February 4.(PTI)
