What Happened to Ailing Kuki-Zo BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Imphal, Feb 8 (NationPress) Renowned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vungzagin Valte, representing the Kuki-Zo community, was airlifted from Imphal to New Delhi on Sunday for specialized medical care after his health significantly declined. According to officials, the 62-year-old tribal legislator had been residing in the Kuki-Zo-predominant Churachandpur district following extensive treatment in Delhi for severe injuries sustained during the ethnic clashes in Imphal on May 4, 2023.
An official noted that Valte's condition worsened on Saturday, prompting emergency transfer to the Churachandpur Medical College and Hospital, where he was placed in the ICU for stabilization. Throughout the night, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh closely monitored Valte's status, dispatching an advanced life-support ambulance and a medical team from Imphal to Churachandpur around midnight.
Doctors from Imphal maintained regular contact with the medical team at the hospital through teleconferencing. In a show of prompt action, the Chief Minister arranged for an air ambulance for the evacuation of the ailing MLA, who serves the Thanlon Assembly Constituency.
Despite the critical nature of his condition overnight, reports indicated a slight improvement, allowing for his transfer from the medical facility with the assistance of Dharun Kumar S, the Deputy Commissioner of the district.
Two fellow BJP legislators, Tongbram Robindro Singh and Sanasam Premchandra Singh, accompanied Valte from Phoujakhai village to the Imphal Airport. Chief Minister Singh welcomed Valte at the airport later that day, engaging with his family and wishing him a swift recovery, stating, "Pu Valte, please return once you are fully healed. I will be eagerly waiting for your comeback."
Following this, the air ambulance carrying Valte departed from Imphal Airport. In a social media update, the Chief Minister expressed his best wishes for Valte's recovery while sending him off at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport for further treatment in New Delhi.
Valte suffered a brutal attack on May 4, 2023, resulting in critical injuries and partial paralysis after attending a meeting with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Tragically, his driver was killed in this attack. The tribal leader had previously called for solidarity among members of the Zo community amidst the continuing ethnic tensions in Manipur.