Imphal, 04 July (HS): Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on Saturday flew to Churachandpur by helicopter to attend the last rites of former MLA Vungzagin Valte despite a boycott call by several civil society organisations and a district-wide shutdown.

Security was tightened across Churachandpur as protests were held against the Chief Minister's visit. Markets remained closed, vehicular movement was minimal and demonstrators reportedly attempted to block the Imphal–Churachandpur road.

The Chief Minister attended the funeral at Valte's residence in Dorcas Veng. No major incidents of violence were reported during his arrival.

Valte, a three-time legislator, had suffered critical injuries in an alleged mob attack on May 4, 2023, during the early days of the ethnic unrest in Manipur. After undergoing prolonged treatment, he passed away at a hospital in Gurugram on February 20, 2026. His last rites were conducted more than four months after his death.

First elected in 2012 on a Congress ticket, Valte later joined the BJP and was re-elected in 2017. He also served as Minister for Tribal Affairs and Hills, General Administration, and Transport, before retaining his Churachandpur Assembly seat in the 2022 elections.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash