Manipur Chief Minister Yomnam Kemchand arrived in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district under tight security on Saturday to attend the funeral ceremony of former BJP legislator Phongsajin Valte (61), who was a victim of ethnic violence in Manipur.
The CM’s visit to Churachandpur amid the boycott imposed by several Kuki bodies was the first since the May 3, 2023 clash between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
“Today, I came here for a short visit to pay my last respects to my friend Bo Valte. To be able to come is a great honor for me. Valte’s family is like my family. His friends and confidants are my friends too. I will always offer any support to all of them when or if the need arises,” the Prime Minister said.
He added: “My deepest regret is that on that particular day, if I had been with him, this incident would not have happened.”
Valte, a lawmaker and minister from the Zomi community (in the previous government headed by N Biren Singh), was injured in an attack in Imphal on May 4, 2023. He has been in a wheelchair since the attack. On February 21, Valte died at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, and his body has been at the Churachandpur morgue since then.
Valte was a BJP legislator elected from Thanlone assembly constituency and was among the 10 Kuki Zo legislators who demanded “separate administration” after the Manipur crisis erupted. He was also an advisor to former CM N Biren Singh.
The attack on Valte occurred within hours of the first clashes between the Métis and Kukis tribes. The total collapse of law and order has engulfed the state, destroying the security machinery and leading to the collapse of the government. For months, many families from the Kuki-Zu community refused to cremate his body because the police had not arrested anyone in the case.
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“The family finally decided to cremate him because the MLA’s wife was ill and she wanted to bury her husband. All these months, the body was kept in the morgue because the police had not arrested anyone for his murder,” said a family member of Valte, who requested anonymity.
Valte’s remains had been lying in the morgue of Churachandpur district hospital since February.
Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), an apex civic body, said in a statement issued on Saturday: “The facts on the ground in these areas remain very sensitive and volatile, with the underlying tensions yet to be meaningfully addressed or resolved.” Kim also asked the Prime Minister not to come to Churachandpur district.
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Violence broke out for the first time in Churachandpur
Churachandpur is a Kuki-Zo dominated district in Manipur. Violence in Manipur first broke out in the district and later spread to other areas.
In addition, a separate joint statement issued by Kuki Civil Society Organizations (KCSOs), Churachandpur, signed by six different bodies including Kuki Inpi Churachandpur (KIC), Kuki Students Organization (KSO) Churachandpur, Kuki Women Union (KWU), Kuki Women’s Organization for Human Rights (KWOHR), Kuki Kanglay Lumbi (KKL) and Kuki Chiefs Association (KCA) would like to Churachandpur should make it clear that until and unless there is a solution to the ongoing Kuki-Zo-Miti conflict, we will not allow any individual, official or group of Miti in our area be it the Prime Minister.”
“We boycott the proposed visit of Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand to Churchandpur tomorrow and any untoward incident arising out of his visit will be his sole responsibility,” the statement read.
CM Khemchand along with BJP legislator Th Robindro arrived in Churachandpur by helicopter and landed at the helipad of 5 Assam Rifles headquarters in Churachandpur.
Later, he and the BJP legislator traveled to Valte’s residence in Durgos Veng, Churachandpur, to attend the funeral ceremony.
The CM also said that dialogue is the only way forward to restore peace in Manipur and stressed that lasting peace is essential for the overall development of the state. “Your smile is the path to peace,” he said.
Valte’s remains were buried at Young Paite Society Cemetery, Dorcas Veng, Churachandpur.
