Six days after the demise of Manipur BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte at a private hospital in Gurugram, his mortal remains are still being kept at the Churachandpur district morgue, as tribal organisations have indicated that the burial will not take place immediately due to renewed political demands.
An official confirmed on Thursday that Valte’s body was brought to the district morgue on Wednesday afternoon. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted.
A representative of a Zomi civil organisation stated that even after the autopsy is completed, the burial is unlikely to happen immediately.
“In light of the recent developments, our demand for a separate administration remains our primary concern. Discussions will be held with frontal civil bodies to decide the future course of action,” the representative said.
On Wednesday night, several tribal organisations organised a candlelight vigil in Churachandpur district, reiterating their demand for a Union Territory with legislature for the hill areas following the MLA’s death.
Protesters raised slogans demanding justice and called for the investigation into the May 4, 2023 attack on Valte to be handed over to the CBI or the NIA.
The 56-Thanlon legislator’s mortal remains were airlifted to Mizoram on February 22 and later brought to his residence in Churachandpur district on February 24.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla paid his last respects by laying a wreath and draping the body with a traditional shawl at the residence.
Meanwhile, the Zomi Council, the apex body of the Zomi tribe in the district, stated that it would decide the course of action regarding the burial. Family members of the late MLA are also consulting civil society organisations.
The delay in performing the final rites has added a fresh political dimension to the situation, as tribal groups have linked the funeral to their broader demand for separate administration and a credible probe into the 2023 attack that left the senior legislator critically injured.
