Manipur’s Chief Minister Yumtham Khemchand raced to Delhi today after the devastating announcement of BJP MLA Wungjagoin Walte’s death from Thanglon constituency. The Kuki-Zo leader’s passing marks another somber chapter in the state’s ethnic turmoil saga.
Elected from Churachandpur district, Walte was critically injured during the May 2023 violence outbreak. On May 4, post a discussion with former CM N. Biren Singh in Imphal, he fell victim to a mob attack in Nagamapal. The brutality left him with severe trauma and partial paralysis, while claiming his driver’s life.
Evacuated urgently to Delhi by air ambulance, the MLA fought valiantly through prolonged hospitalizations. Returning to Churachandpur for continued therapy, signs of progress emerged. But on February 8, his health plummeted, leading to a state-facilitated airlift to New Delhi for superior treatment under CM Khemchand’s directive.
Saturday brought the irreversible loss. Informed midday, the Chief Minister promptly flew out to offer final homage. Condolences pour in from political peers, highlighting Walte’s stature.
A vocal advocate for Kuki-Zo unity during the unrest, Walte’s legacy endures amid grief rippling through Manipur’s tribal society and political arena. His death underscores the human cost of the protracted conflict, urging reflection on paths to peace.