Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on Saturday visited Churachandpur to attend the funeral of former BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, marking his first visit to the district since ethnic violence broke out across the state on May 3, 2023.The Chief Minister travelled to Churachandpur by helicopter along with BJP MLA Tongbram Robindro Singh under heavy security arrangements. His visit came amid protests by sections of the Kuki-Zomi community, which had opposed his entry into the district until a political solution to the ongoing ethnic conflict is reached. Valte, a three-time BJP legislator from Thanlon Assembly constituency and a senior Zomi leader, died on July 4 after more than two years of treatment for injuries suffered in a mob attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023, a day after violence erupted in the state.
Addressing mourners during the burial ceremony at Dorcas Veng, Singh paid tribute to the late leader and described him as one of his closest friends in politics. Reflecting on the events surrounding the attack, the Chief Minister expressed deep regret over not being with Valte on the day of the incident.”My deepest regret is that if I had been with him that evening, the incident would never have happened,” Singh said. Recalling the events of May 4, 2023, the Chief Minister said he and Valte had met earlier that day to discuss ways to control the violence spreading across Manipur. “We were together discussing how to control the violence. After the meeting, I returned home for lunch while he remained there. That day will always remain one of my greatest regrets,” he said. Singh also referred to the security situation during the early days of the unrest, saying he had advised then Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen not to travel to Kangpokpi on May 3 because of the deteriorating law and order situation.
“I persuaded her not to leave as mob violence was dangerous. She was eventually escorted back safely in the early hours of the next day with full security,” he said.Explaining why he travelled by helicopter instead of by road, the Chief Minister said he had to return to Imphal for a scheduled virtual meeting with the Union Home Minister. “Today I have a virtual meeting with the Union Home Minister. That is why I came by helicopter so that I could return quickly after paying my respects,” he said. Describing Valte as a calm and humble leader, Singh said, “Pu Valte was a calm and humble person. When I became Speaker in 2017, he was one of my best friends. His family is like my family, and I will always extend every possible support to them.” Despite the Chief Minister’s visit, protests continued in parts of Churachandpur. Several Kuki-Zomi civil society organisations had earlier announced a boycott of the visit, maintaining that he should not enter the district until meaningful progress is made towards resolving the ethnic conflict. Security forces maintained a heavy deployment across sensitive areas to ensure the visit passed without any major incident. Valte’s funeral had been delayed for several months after his mortal remains were brought back to Churachandpur. Following his death, Zomi civil society organisations formed the Zomi Coordination Committee (ZCC), demanding justice and accountability for the attack on the former legislator before his burial was carried out.
