Manipur: Thousands Attend Vigil for Late MLA Vungzagin Valte
A candlelight vigil in Churachandpur drew thousands mourning BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, whose death after injuries from the 2023 violence has reignited calls for justice and political solutions.
IMPHAL- Thousands of people gathered at the Churachandpur Medical College campus in Churachandpur, Manipur, on February 25, 2026, to attend a candlelight vigil in memory of Vungzagin Valte, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator who died earlier this week after prolonged medical treatment for injuries sustained during the 2023 ethnic violence in the state.
The vigil, organised by tribal student bodies including the Kuki Students’ Organisation, Hmar Students’ Association and Zomi Students’ Federation, drew students, civil society representatives and residents from across the hill district. Participants lit candles in a solemn tribute to the late MLA from the Thanlon Assembly constituency, creating a symbolic display of communal mourning and solidarity.
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Valte, a prominent Zomi tribal leader and three-time legislator, had been undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for nearly three years after he was critically injured in a mob attack in Imphal in May 2023, shortly after ethnic clashes broke out in the state. His death has revived discussions around unresolved grievances linked to the violence that displaced thousands and deepened ethnic divisions.
During the vigil, Valte’s eldest son Joseph Valte addressed the gathering, urging the community to carry forward his father’s vision while maintaining unity and resilience. The event also became a platform for reiterating longstanding demands from tribal groups, including calls for a separate administration for the hill areas and a Union Territory with legislature.
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Adding to the evolving situation, family members have reportedly refused to proceed with the MLA’s burial until certain demands are addressed, including the creation of a separate district for the Zomi community and a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the circumstances surrounding the 2023 attack and subsequent death. Community leaders said these conditions have been conveyed to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
Valte’s mortal remains reached Churachandpur earlier in the week via the Manipur–Mizoram border, prompting widespread tributes, a district shutdown and ceremonial processions. The Manipur government has declared three days of mourning following his passing.
Observers note that the candlelight vigil reflects both collective grief and unresolved tensions stemming from the 2023 conflict, with community leaders emphasising the need for justice, security and a durable political solution. While the situation in Churachandpur remains peaceful, local sources describe an emotionally charged atmosphere as discussions continue over burial arrangements and broader political demands.
