Daijiworld Media Network – Aizawl
Aizawl, Apr 9: Nearly a year after being brutally assaulted during the peak of ethnic violence in Manipur, BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte arrived in Aizawl on Wednesday following months of medical treatment in New Delhi. The 61-year-old tribal leader, who suffered serious injuries and partial paralysis, will head to his home state of Manipur via helicopter but has avoided Imphal due to security concerns.
Valte, who represents the Thanlon constituency in tribal-dominated Churachandpur district, was officially received at Lengpui Airport by Mizoram MLA Ginzalal, adviser (Technical) to Chief Minister Lalduhoma. A warm welcome was also organised by the influential Mizo Students’ Organisation, demonstrating strong tribal solidarity.
Speaking on behalf of Valte, a tribal leader highlighted the deep-rooted ethnic tensions, saying, “Since we are all descendants of the Zo community, we should come together and jointly fight against the present ethnic crisis in Manipur.”
The legislator was violently attacked on May 4, 2023, in Imphal—just hours after meeting then Chief Minister N Biren Singh. His driver was reportedly killed during the incident, and Valte was left in a near-dead state, prompting his urgent airlift to Delhi for critical care.
In a pointed accusation, Valte held the former CM responsible for long-standing prejudice against the Zo community. “He (Biren Singh) has been against the Zo community right from the beginning,” Valte alleged.
Prominent tribal leader Ginza Vualzong of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) stated that Valte is living proof of the brutality faced by the Kuki-Zo community. “He was brutally tortured and left to die after he met N Biren Singh,” Vualzong said.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Valte claimed he received only limited financial assistance from the Manipur government during his extended treatment despite the severity of his injuries.
The attack on Valte and the ongoing ethnic conflict have amplified calls from the Kuki-Zo-Hmar community for a separate administrative setup. Ten tribal MLAs, including Valte, along with the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) an umbrella body of 13 tribal organisations have reiterated their demand for a Union Territory-like administration for tribal-majority areas in Manipur.
As tensions simmer, Valte’s return is being seen not only as a symbolic moment for the tribal community but also a stark reminder of the state’s fragile ethnic equation.