Manipur BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who had been battling severe injuries sustained during the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023, died at a hospital in Haryana’s Gurugram on Thursday.

Valte, a representative from the Thanlon assembly constituency in Churachandpur district, was attacked in Imphal when tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities escalated into widespread clashes. The assault left him with critical head injuries that significantly affected his mobility and speech.

Long medical struggle after 2023 attack

Following the attack on May 4, 2023, Valte was admitted to a hospital in Delhi, where he spent several months in intensive care. According to his family, he suffered debilitating head trauma that left him wheelchair-bound and dependent on assistance for routine physical movements.

Despite prolonged treatment in the national capital for nearly two years, his health remained fragile. He later returned to Manipur, but complications linked to the injuries persisted.

Earlier this month, Valte complained of breathlessness and chest pain, prompting doctors to stabilise him in intensive care before he was flown to Delhi in an air ambulance on February 8. His condition had reportedly shown slight improvement before the transfer.

Family alleges role of Arambai Tenggol

Valte’s family had alleged that members of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol were responsible for the attack in 2023. His son, David Mang Valte, had earlier stated that the MLA was assaulted while returning after meeting the then Chief Minister amid the communal crisis involving Kuki, Meitei and Zomi communities.

Valte belonged to the Zomi tribe and was serving as a BJP legislator from Thanlon at the time of his death.

Condolences pour in

Several political leaders expressed grief over his passing. Two-time MLA T Robindro Singh said his last meeting with Valte at Imphal Airport before he was airlifted for advanced treatment remains “deeply emotional and unforgettable.” He described Valte as a kind-hearted and humble leader who was always concerned about the welfare of the people.

Valte’s death marks the end of a prolonged and painful chapter that began with the outbreak of ethnic unrest in Manipur in 2023.

In a significant intervention in the ongoing dispute over the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Calcutta High Court to appoint judicial officers to assist in the process.

The top court said the move was necessary due to an “unfortunate scenario of allegations and counter allegations” between the West Bengal government and the Election Commission, which has led to a trust deficit between the two constitutional authorities.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that the process had stalled at the stage of examining claims and objections from individuals whose names were included in the discrepancy list. He noted that the court was compelled to pass an “extraordinary order” owing to “extraordinary circumstances”.

The judicial officers appointed by the high court will examine claims and objections related to the voter roll clean-up drive. The Supreme Court asked the Calcutta High Court to spare serving as well as former judicial officers in the rank of additional district judge or district judge to assist in each district.

Meeting of top officials ordered

To work out the operational details, the Supreme Court directed the State Election Commissioner, the chief secretary, the police chief and other senior officials to hold a meeting with the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.

The court highlighted that the state is obligated to provide Group A officers to perform duties of Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs). It pointed to a dispute over the rank and competence of officials deployed to function as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).

“It is nearly impossible for this court to determine the status and rank of officials now deployed by the ECI given by the state,” the bench observed.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the court said it was left with “hardly any other option” but to request the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to deploy judicial officers to ensure fairness in adjudicating the genuineness of documents and decisions regarding inclusion or exclusion from the voter list.

Strong remarks from the bench

The Supreme Court made strong remarks over what it described as a lack of cooperation.

“A situation is being created where judicial officers have to intervene. We were expecting cooperation by the state. Is this the level of communication from the state?” Chief Justice Kant said, expressing disappointment over delayed responses to earlier orders.

Sharp exchanges were reported between senior lawyers representing the West Bengal government and the Election Commission. While the state argued that sufficient Group B officers had been provided, the Election Commission maintained that competent Group A officers capable of discharging quasi-judicial functions were not made available.

“You are not providing competent Group A officers. How can incompetent officials decide the fate of the people?” the court remarked, adding that there appeared to be hesitancy on both ends.

The bench stressed that cooperation from all stakeholders was essential and cautioned the state government to create an enabling environment for the judicial officers nominated by the high court.

“Please cooperate with the high court. Please create an environment for them to function. Imagine what will happen if the SIR process is not completed,” the court said.

Political backdrop

The SIR exercise has triggered a political row in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the Election Commission of targeting the state and misusing the voter roll revision to exclude genuine voters.

Earlier this month, she met top Election Commission officials in New Delhi and warned that she could mobilise large numbers of people to protest before the poll body.

Banerjee has also questioned why a similar SIR exercise was not conducted in BJP-ruled Assam and alleged that West Bengal and Kerala were being unfairly targeted.

With the Bengal assembly election approaching and major parties stepping up campaigning, the voter roll revision has become a central political flashpoint.

The budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly commenced on a charged political note, setting the stage for a sharp confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress.

With the session scheduled to continue until March 18, both sides have outlined their strategies, signalling intense debates inside the House and political mobilisation outside.

The Business Advisory Committee has approved the session calendar. Cabinet Minister Krishan stated that the government is fully prepared to address all issues raised during the proceedings. Regular sittings will take place from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while post-recess discussions will resume at 2:00 PM.

March 16 has been earmarked for voting to fill two vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha, adding further political significance to the session.

Opposition prepares aggressive strategy

Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda made it clear that the Congress intends to mount a strong challenge to the government. The party plans to raise concerns over law and order, pension reductions for senior citizens, waterlogging affecting agricultural land, alleged illegal mining activities, and Haryana’s claim over Chandigarh.

Hooda also expressed confidence that the Congress would contest and secure one of the Rajya Sabha seats.

Adding to the political pressure, Haryana Congress president Rao Narender Singh announced a protest march on February 25 against the alleged scrapping of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme. The announcement indicates that the opposition’s campaign will extend beyond Assembly debates.

BJP readies counterattack

On the government’s side, the BJP legislative party held a meeting under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to chalk out its response strategy. PWD Minister Ranbir Gangwa said the government is ready for what he described as a fact-based and constructive debate.

With protests planned and crucial issues lined up for discussion, the Haryana budget session is expected to witness high political drama in the coming weeks.