Manipur: BJP Leader Sambit Patra Meets Thanlon MLA Vungzagin Valte in Churachandpur

Sambit Patra Meets Vungzagin Valte: The interaction marked Valte’s first high-profile political meeting since his return to Manipur.

BJP national spokesperson and Manipur in-charge, Sambit Patra, paid a visit to Thanlon MLA Vungzagin Valte in Churachandpur today. Valtev had survived a near-death mob attack on May 4, 2023 at Imphal.

Dr Patra arrived in Churachandpur by helicopter and headed directly to Valte’s residence, where he met the ailing legislator for nearly 30 minutes. Valte, who is still wheelchair-bound, was seen warmly shaking hands with Patra during the visit. The interaction marked Valte’s first high-profile political meeting since his return to Manipur on April 9, 2025 after nearly two years of intensive medical care in New Delhi.

Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute and representatives of the Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) were present at today’s meeting. Following Patra’s private discussion with Valte, the ZSF leaders submitted a memorandum to him, highlighting community concerns and issues stemming from the ongoing ethnic unrest.

Dr Patra said that the visit was “unofficial.” He refrained from any political comments, reinforcing the personal nature of his interaction with the Thanlon MLA.

However, sources informed Northeast Live that Patra also held closed-door meetings with leaders of the Kuki Zo Council and Zomi Council, indicating his visit holds broader reconciliation and political implications.

Patra is expected to return to Imphal later today, where he is likely to meet senior BJP leaders and Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. His visit coincides with growing demands for the restoration of a popular government in the state. Notably, 21 MLAs from Manipur, including members from the BJP’s non-Biren Singh faction, the NPP, and NPF, recently urged the Centre to facilitate the formation of a new government.

It needs to be mentioned that, Vungzagin Valte was brutally attacked in May 2023, at the very start of the ongoing crisis between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

After being under treatment and bedridden for close to two years in New Delhi, he returned home on April 9.

The attack on Valte took place when he was on his way back after meeting the then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to advocate for peace on behalf of the Zohnahthlak community. On his way back from the meeting, a huge mob stopped him near RIMS Road in Imphal West. They assaulted him so brutally that one side of his face was crushed, and his left eye was damaged.

Valte was airlifted to Delhi the next day for emergency treatment. He spent several weeks on a ventilator with a feeding tube at Apollo Hospital, battling for his life. Since then, he has been under long-term medical care, trying to recover from the physical and emotional trauma of the assault.

Also Read: Security Forces Crack Down on Extortion Networks in Manipur; Three Militant Operatives Arrested

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