BJP protests in Manipur, seeks central probe into MLA’s death

In a significant development indicating at a clear divide among Kuki and Meitei communities even within the ruling BJP in Manipur, the local party unit on Monday held a peaceful sit-in outside Churachandpur Medical College in the state, where the mortal remains of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte have been kept, as his family has refused to perform his last rites until a central agency is assigned to probe reasons behind his death.

While talks have been held with the state government, and assurance for probe was given during a meeting last week between the Zomi Coordination Committee and the Deputy CM Losii Dikho, no concrete decision has been taken in this regard, sources close to the MLA's family said.

Monday's protest was held to highlight the delay on part of the state government to heed to the demand for a fair probe into Valte's death.

Valte, a Kuki BJP MLA from Thanlon constituency, was brutally assaulted allegedly by members of the militant group Arambai Tenggol in Imphal on May 4, 2023, while returning from a meeting with the then CM N Biren Singh during the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state.

During the ambush, while his driver was killed on the spot, the MLA was grievously injured, which had left him incapacitated. After a prolonged treatment, he had died at a Gurugram hospital on February 21, 2026. However his body was later taken to Churachandpur Medical College, where it lies in the mortuary, as his family has refused to perform the last rites till their demand for a central agency probe is not fulfilled by the ruling BJP government in the state.