Manipur CM’s First Visit to Churachandpur Since Ethnic Conflict Attends Zomi MLA’s Funeral
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday visited Churachandpur district to attend the funeral of Zomi MLA Vungzagin Valte, marking the first chief ministerial visit to the Kuki-Zo majority area since the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.
The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has resulted in over 200 deaths and displaced tens of thousands. Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community, arrived in Churachandpur by helicopter and travelled to Valte’s family home to pay his respects.
Valte, 63, was a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, a former minister, and a three-time MLA representing the Thanlon constituency. He was one of 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs in the state assembly. His final rites were held more than four months after his death at a hospital in Gurgaon on February 21 this year.
The visit is seen as a gesture towards bridging the divide between the communities, though tensions remain high. Security was tight during the CM’s visit, with additional forces deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.
