Manipur BJP MLA’s burial yet to take place, 15 days after death

Nearly a fortnight after the BJP’s former Manipur MLA Vungzagin Valte died in a Gurugram hospital, due to medical complications from injuries caused by a mob attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023, his burial is yet to take place.

Valte, a member of a Zomi tribe and an adviser on tribal affairs to the previous Manipur CM, was attacked while leaving the Chief Minister’s office just a day after ethnic violence broke out between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people. He was paralysed in the attack and died on February 21. Valte’s body is being preserved in a deep freezer at the morgue of Churachandpur district hospital, his son Joseph Valte told The Hindu.

The Valte family and the community leaders of the Zomi tribe have listed several demands to be met before they are willing to perform the last rites for Valte. The Zomi Coordination Committee (ZCC) has been formed to press for these demands, which includes a National Investigation Agency probe into the assault, and a political solution to the conflict. The ZCC has announced a month of mourning in honour of the late MLA, who was a three-time legislator.

A senior government official said that attempts are being made to convince the family and community members to perform the last rites of the MLA while their demands are being studied.

Seeking justice for Valte

On March 2, Manipur Deputy CM Losii Dikho visited Churachandpur where he met with Valte’s family. In a meeting with Mr. Dikho, the ZCC demanded that those responsible for the assault on Valte are investigated, prosecuted, and brought to justice.

“The need to expedite investigation in cases of deaths arising from violent assaults was discussed. Discussion was held on the future course of action toward peace and on advancing political solution under the Suspension of Operations framework in a manner acceptable to all communities,” a statement by the ZCC said.

The deputy CM told the ZCC group that the government is committed to pursuing justice for Valte.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, 2025, Valte himself had accused armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, blaming it for the assault which left him paralysed.

Over the past three years, Valte had developed medical complications due to life-threatening injuries he suffered during the attack. On February 8, he was airlifted from Imphal to the national capital for advanced treatment at a private hospital in Gurugram where he passed away on February 21.