Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday visited Churachandpur under tight security arrangements to attend the funeral of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, amid a shutdown call and boycott issued by several Kuki-Zo civil society organisations.
The Chief Minister arrived at the 5 Assam Rifles headquarters in the district, with security forces maintaining a heavy deployment across sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents. His visit took place despite opposition groups declaring him “not welcome” in Churachandpur and urging him to stay away from the funeral proceedings.
Ahead of his arrival, protesters erected barricades using tyres, logs and benches at multiple locations, including the Kaprang area. Markets remained closed and vehicular movement was disrupted as part of the shutdown, reflecting heightened tensions in the district.
Late BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, a three-time legislator from the Thanlon Assembly constituency, passed away in February this year due to complications from injuries sustained during a mob attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023, during the ethnic violence in the state. He had undergone prolonged medical treatment, including care in Gurugram. His funeral was held over four months after his death following consultations between his family and community organisations.
The Chief Minister’s visit marked one of his first trips to Churachandpur since taking office this year, at a time when relations between the state government and sections of the Kuki-Zo community remain tense. Authorities maintained a high alert throughout the district during the visit.
