BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, a Victim of Arambai Tenggol's Brutality, Passes Away

Vungzagin Valte, a BJP MLA from Thanlon Assembly Constituency in Churachandpur district, passed away today in New Delhi after succumbing to injuries inflicted on him by the Meitei militia group Arambai Tenggol on May 4, 2023.

Violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, following a Tribal Solidarity March organised by the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) against the Manipur High Court’s recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. The rally was held in all the hill districts of Manipur.

When the violence erupted on May 3, 2023, Churachandpur district was one of the epicentres. Valte, one of the senior-most legislators among the Kuki community, instructed Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip and Singngat MLA Chinlunthang to head to Churachandpur from Imphal to hold talks with civil society organisations regarding the volatile situation. He also said he would meet the Chief Minister to ensure the safety of our people in the Imphal Valley.

However, fate had other plans. On May 4, 2023, he was waylaid on RIMS Road in the Nagamapal area, where he was severely beaten. His driver also lost his life at the hands of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei militia group.

On that fateful day, Valte was returning from a meeting with the then Chief Minister when he was stopped by members of Arambai Tenggol near Nagamapal in Imphal West. He was brutally beaten, suffering catastrophic injuries that left him wheelchair-bound with impaired speech.

Valte was immediately airlifted to Delhi for specialised treatment, where he spent nearly two years undergoing intensive care and rehabilitation. Despite periods of improvement and an emotional return to Manipur in April 2025, his health remained fragile. Earlier this month, after a sudden decline in his condition, he was again taken to Delhi for advanced treatment but ultimately succumbed to complications arising from his long-standing injuries.

His death marks the end of a long and painful struggle stemming from one of the worst phases of unrest in the northeastern state.

Born into the Kuki-Zo tribal community, Valte represented the Thanlon Assembly Constituency in Churachandpur district thrice and had served as a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including roles as a former minister and adviser to the chief minister.

News of Valte’s passing drew condolences from across the political spectrum and tribal leadership. The Kuki Inpi Manipur and the KSO-GHQ also offered their condolences to the bereaved family.