Want good ties between Meeteis & Kukis: MLA Valte
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 13 2025: "I want good relationship between the majority Meeteis and minority Kukis in the state," said MLA Vungzagin Valte, who recently returned home after nearly two years of medical treatment following a mob attack on May 4, 2023 .

As per report published by the Northeast Live, the MLA marked his first public statement in an interview with the news agency since returning home.

Northeast Live reported that Vungzagin Valte, who represents Thanlon constituency, and was severely injured on the second day of the ongoing conflict in the state, after his homecoming to Churachandpur on April 9, made a heartfelt appeal for peace and unity between the two warring communities.

"Manipur's future is bleak and its future does not look good now.

Both communities should come together to find a solution," NE Live quoted him as saying.

Stressing the need to move beyond ethnic divisions, the MLA further said, "Without considering majority and minority we have to consider ourselves as Manipur".

The attack on Vungzagin Valte occurred on May 4, 2023, shortly after he met then chief minister N Biren Singh to advocate for peace.

As he was returning from the meeting, a large mob intercepted his convoy near RIMS Road in Imphal West and brutally assaulted him.

He was airlifted to New Delhi the next day and spent weeks on a ventilator at Apollo Hospital.

For nearly two years, he underwent intensive medical treatment and rehabilitation before making his return to Manipur this month.

Calling for inclusive dialogue, Vungzagin Valte emphasised that peace efforts must respect minority sentiments as well.

"While dialogue is necessary, it should be continuous and take into account the sentiments of the minorities as well.

In a dialogue, minority sentiments should also be respected," he said.

He further urged the central government to play a larger role in restoring peace and harmony in the violence-hit state, the news agency reported.

Earlier in June, some national media reported that the state government had forgotten the MLA and was left on his own after he was assaulted.

Reacting to national media reports, the then health and IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, on June 27, clarified that there was no negligence or ignorance on the part of the state government regarding casualties during the ongoing crisis.

He emphasised the need for verifying sensitive incidents to avoid legal implications.

Terming the May 4, 2023, attack on MLA Vungzagin Valte by an unruly mob as highly condemnable, Ran-jan said that the government acted promptly by shifting the injured MLA to RIMS for immediate treatment on the same day.

He was airlifted to Apollo Hospital in New Delhi the following day, accompanied till the airport by the then PHE minister Leishangthem Susindro and labour chairman Sarat.

He also stated that the state government would bear all medical expenses, and an officer on special duty was assigned to regularly monitor the MLA's health by staying in touch with hospital authorities.

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