Manipur: CM Visits Churachandpur Amid Boycott Call to Attend BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte’s Funeral
Imphal, July 4: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday visited Churachandpur district under extensive security arrangements to attend the funeral of late BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, despite a shutdown and boycott call issued by several Kuki-Zo civil society organisations.
The Chief Minister arrived at the 5 Assam Rifles headquarters in Churachandpur amid heightened security, with authorities deploying additional personnel and intensifying surveillance across the district ahead of his visit.
His visit came despite appeals from several Kuki-Zo organisations, which had declared that the Chief Minister was “not welcome” in the district and urged him not to attend the funeral.
Ahead of his arrival, protesters reportedly erected road barricades using tyres, wooden logs and benches at several locations, including the Kaprang area. Markets remained closed, and vehicular movement was disrupted as part of the shutdown observed in the district.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent any untoward incident and ensure the safe movement of the Chief Minister’s convoy.
Late Vungzagin Valte, a three-time BJP legislator representing the Thanlon Assembly constituency, passed away in February 2026 due to complications arising from the severe injuries he sustained during a mob assault in Imphal on May 4, 2023, in the early phase of the ethnic violence that affected Manipur.
Following the attack, Valte underwent prolonged medical treatment, including at a hospital in Gurugram, before he succumbed to his injuries on February 20, 2026. His funeral was held more than four months later after consultations between his family and community organisations.
The Chief Minister’s visit carried significant political importance as it marked one of his first visits to Churachandpur since assuming office earlier this year. The visit also took place against the backdrop of continuing tensions between the state government and sections of the Kuki-Zo community.
Several Kuki-Zo civil society organisations had maintained that confidence-building measures and justice for those affected by the ethnic conflict should precede any political outreach to the district.
Despite the boycott call and shutdown, the Chief Minister attended the funeral under tight security, while authorities maintained a high level of vigilance across Churachandpur throughout the day.
