Valte's funeral today, Kuki CSOs caution CM not to attend

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 3: The mortal remains of MLA Vungzagin Valte will be laid to rest at the YPA Cemetery, Dorcas Veng, Churachandpur on July 4, said the Zomi Council in a statement today.
The Thanlon AC MLA was 61.
Valte was assaulted by a mob in the early days of the Manipur conflict on May 4, 2023, and was receiving treatment before passing away on February 20, 2026 at Medanta Hospital, Guru-gram, Delhi.
The Zomi Council said the funeral service of the MLA will be held at his residence at Dorcas Veng on July 4 allowing friends, relatives, and members of the community to pay their final respects to the departed and extend their condolences to the bereaved family.
Through the statement, the Zomi Council also invited family members, rela- tives, friends, well-wishers, Church and community leaders and representatives of civil society organisations to attend the funeral.
Valte was first elected to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly in 2012 on an INC ticket.
He was re-elected to the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly on a BJP ticket in 2017. He was Minister for TA & Hills, GAD, and Transport, and was again elected in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly in 2022.
Even as speculations are rife that Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand may attend the funeral service of the late MLA, several Kuki organisations including Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, KSO Churachandpur, KWOHR, Kuki Women Union, KKL and KCA Churachandpur have expressed strong objection.
KIM said that the ground realities in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal remain highly sensitive and volatile, with underlying tensions yet to be meaningfully addressed or resolved.
In such a fragile environment, any proposed visit (of the Chief Minister) at this juncture may evoke strong public reactions, said a press release issued by KIM.
It advised the Chief Minister to defer the proposed visit until the conditions are favourable for a safe, meaningful and constructive engagement with the public.
Meanwhile, a joint press release issued by Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, KSO Churachandpur, KWOHR, Kuki Women Union, KKL and KCA Churachandpur said that they will not allow any Meitei individual, officials or group in Churachandpur district, be it the Chief Minister until and unless there is a solution to the ongoing Kuki-Zo-Meitei conflict.
The Kuki organisations have also boycotted the proposed visit of Chief Minister Y Khemchand to Churachandpur on Saturday.      
Another press release issued by the People’s Movement said that the people of Kuki, Zomi and Hmar communities will not be held responsible for any unseen troubles if the CM insists on attending the funeral procession of MLA Vungzagin Valte.
Saying that a meaningful dialogue, justice and lasting peace must precede any such visit, it urged the Chief Minister to postpone his visit no matter the occasion.