UKHRUL: The family of Vungzagin Valte, BJP MLA from Thanlon constituency, has refused to conduct his burial until the government accepts its demands, including the creation of a separate district for the Zomi tribe and a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into his death, reported The Hindu.
Valte passed away on February 21 at a hospital in Haryana after failing to recover from injuries sustained in a mob attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023, a day after ethnic violence broke out between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. According to reports, in a September 13, 2025 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he alleged that he was brutally assaulted by members of “Arambai Tenggol,” leaving him paralysed, and noted that no CBI or NIA inquiry had been initiated. No arrests have been made so far.
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According to The Hindu, Valte’s son, Joseph, told that the family had submitted a list of demands to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and that the burial would not take place until those demands are fulfilled. In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the Lok Bhavan, Manipur, said the Governor visited Churachandpur to pay his respects to Valte, laying a wreath and offering a shawl as a mark of tribute.
The Governor also met members of the bereaved family, extended his condolences, and expressed prayers for peace for the departed leader and strength for his family during their loss.
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Valte’s body was flown from Delhi to Aizawl at the family’s request and brought by road to Churachandpur, where people lined the route to pay tribute. The State government declared official mourning from February 22 to 24, and a shutdown was observed in the district.