Shockwaves of grief gripped Manipur as news broke of Thanglon BJP MLA Wungjagoin Walte’s demise, prompting Chief Minister Yumtham Khemchand to rush to Delhi for a tribute. The event revives painful memories of the ethnic violence that scarred the state.
Hailing from Churachandpur’s Kuki-Zo community, Walte endured a harrowing attack on May 4, 2023, in Nagamapal after conferring with ex-CM N. Biren Singh amid the May 3 flare-up. The mob assault resulted in life-altering injuries, including partial paralysis, and the death of his driver.
whisked away by air ambulance to Delhi’s premier hospitals, Walte’s treatment spanned months. He pursued recovery in Churachandpur thereafter. A recent downturn on February 8 triggered an expedited air transfer to the capital, backed by the new government’s resolve for optimal care.
Fate had other plans, with Walte’s passing on Saturday. CM Khemchand, alerted in the afternoon, made haste to pay respects. A chorus of sympathies from leaders echoes the collective mourning.
Walte’s pleas for community solidarity during the crisis resonate still. His absence deepens the sorrow in Manipur’s tribal and political realms, serving as a stark reminder of violence’s toll and the urgent need for reconciliation.