CHURACHADPUR: The mortal remains of Thanlon Assembly Constituency MLA Vungzagin Valte were laid to rest with full State honours on Saturday at New Lamka Cemetery, following a formal funeral programme held at his residence in Dorcas Veng, New Lamka, Churachandpur district, Manipur.
The late MLA passed away on 21 February 2026 due to complications arising from injuries he sustained in an attack allegedly carried out by Arambai Tenggol on 4 May 2023 in Imphal. His mortal remains, which had been kept at the District Hospital morgue, were transported to his residence by the YPA Dorcas Veng Unit.
As a mark of respect for the late leader, shops across Churachandpur remained closed and vehicles stayed off the roads until the funeral procession concluded in the afternoon. During the State funeral, Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar handed over the Indian National Flag to the deceased’s wife, followed by a ceremonial gun salute.
Manipur chief minister Y. Khemchand Singh arrived in Churachandpur on Saturday morning to pay his last respects to the late MLA, whom he described as his “good friend.” The chief minister laid a wreath and draped a Zomi shawl over the coffin, which was covered with the Zomi flag. He arrived at around 11:30 a.m. and departed at approximately 12:30 p.m. after meeting local leaders and having lunch at the residence of the late MLA.
Speaking at the funeral service, Khemchand Singh described the late Thanlon legislator as “a very calm person” and recalled their close association since 2017, when he first became the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Reflecting on the tragic incident of 4 May 2023, when Valte was assaulted during the early phase of the Manipur conflict, he said, “My deepest regret is that on that particular afternoon, if I were with him, that incident would not have taken place.”
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Emphasizing that his visit was a personal gesture of respect, the chief minister said, “Today, I came here for a short visit to pay my last respects to my friend, Pu Valte. To be able to attend this is a huge honour for me. Valte’s family is like my family. His friends and loved ones are my friends too. I will always extend any support to them whenever the need arises.”
The chief minister also recalled the tense situation during the initial days of the unrest and said every possible effort had been made to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of public representatives.
Later, while interacting with the media at the residence of the late MLA, Khemchand Singh said that dialogue remains the only way forward to restore peace in Manipur and stressed that lasting peace is essential for the overall development of the State.
When asked by a reporter about the roadmap to peace in Manipur, the chief minister responded with a smile, saying, “Your smile is the way for peace,” in reference to the manner in which the question had been asked.
The chief minister, along with MLA Tongbram Robindro, offered floral tributes and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul. Among those who paid homage were MLA Chinlunthang, MLA Letzamang, MLA V. Hangkhanlian, former ministers, numerous supporters, tribal leaders, civil society organisations, and government officials.
Vungzagin Valte, who on numerous occasions identified himself as a Zomi MLA and leader, was born in 1963 at Mualnuam village. He began his professional career with the State Bank of India (SBI), where he served as chief manager before taking voluntary retirement to enter politics.
He contested the election from the 56-Thanlon Assembly Constituency in 2012 and won. He was re-elected in 2017 and again in 2022, serving three consecutive terms as MLA.
During his second term, he served as a Cabinet Minister in the BJP-led Government of Manipur, holding the portfolios of Transport, Tribal Affairs and Hills, and the General Administration Department (GAD). He also served as Minister in-charge of Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts. During his first term, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary. In his third term, before he was attacked on 4 May 2023, he was serving as Adviser to the then chief minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh.
Vungzagin Valte is survived by his wife, Lalneihmawi, two sons, one daughter, and eight grandchildren.
