Vungzagin Valte BJP MLA from the 56-Thanlon Assembly constituency in Manipur, passed away at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after a prolonged medical battle. A three-time legislator from the Zomi-Kuki community, he had suffered severe head injuries during the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 4, 2023.
Valte was attacked by a mob in Imphal during the early phase of the clashes and sustained a serious skull injury. He remained under treatment in Delhi and Gurugram for nearly two years. The injuries left him wheelchair-bound, with difficulty speaking and performing normal physical movements without assistance.
Despite his health condition, he continued to remain politically engaged. He was among the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs who have been demanding a separate administration for tribal-majority areas of Manipur following the outbreak of ethnic clashes. In an interview, he said that lasting peace in the state could only be achieved through autonomy with Union Territory status for the Kuki, Zomi and Hmar communities. He also stated that he would participate in talks if the Centre was directly involved and thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs for creating buffer zones to reduce tensions.
Valte earlier served as Tribal Affairs Minister and was an adviser on tribal matters to former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. His signature appeared in several joint statements issued by the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs seeking a separate administrative arrangement.
His death is seen as a significant moment in the continuing Manipur crisis, as he was one of the most prominent tribal political leaders seriously injured during the violence that has deeply divided the state.
