Churachandpur, Manipur: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand visited the Kuki-majority district of Churachandpur on Saturday to attend the funeral of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vungzagin Valte, marking his first visit to the district since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.
The visit took place under heightened security and came despite a boycott call issued by several Kuki civil society organisations. The groups had opposed the Chief Minister's visit and stated that any consequences arising from it would be his responsibility.
Addressing those gathered at the funeral, Khemchand paid tribute to Valte, describing him as a close friend. "Today, I came here to pay my last respects to my friend Pu Valte. His family is like my family, and I will always extend my support whenever needed," he said.
The Chief Minister also expressed regret over the attack on Valte during the early days of the Manipur conflict. "My deepest regret is that if I had been with him that afternoon, the incident might not have happened," he said.
Valte, a BJP legislator from the Thanlon Assembly constituency and a member of the Zomi community, was seriously injured in an attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023, a day after clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The assault left him wheelchair-bound. He died on February 21, 2026, at a hospital in Gurugram.
Following his death, Valte's body remained in a mortuary in Churachandpur for several months. According to family members, the funeral was delayed because they sought action against those responsible for the attack. The family later decided to proceed with the burial, citing the deteriorating health of Valte's wife and her wish to lay him to rest.
Valte had previously served as a minister in the government led by former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. After the outbreak of the ethnic conflict, he was among the 10 Kuki-Zo legislators who called for a separate administrative arrangement for the community.
The Chief Minister arrived in Churachandpur by helicopter and later travelled to Valte's residence to attend the funeral before the burial took place at the Young Paite Association cemetery in Dorcas Veng.
During his visit, Khemchand reiterated that dialogue remains the only viable path to restoring peace in Manipur. He emphasized that lasting peace is necessary for the state's development and urged people to work towards reconciliation.
The ethnic violence that began in May 2023 has claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands of residents, and continues to affect relations between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Efforts to restore normalcy and rebuild trust remain ongoing.
Sources: Hindustan Times