Imphal, July 4: The funeral of a BJP legislator who succumbed to injuries sustained during Manipur's ethnic violence is set to take place on Saturday in Churachandpur amid heightened security and mounting opposition from Kuki civil society organisations over a possible visit by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

The mortal remains of Thanlon MLA Vungzagin Valte will be laid to rest at the YPA Cemetery in Dorcas Veng, New Lamka. Thousands of mourners, including political leaders, church representatives and members of civil society organisations, are expected to attend the burial.

Senior government sources said preparations were underway for the Chief Minister's possible visit to the funeral, although no official confirmation had been issued by the Chief Minister's Office till the filing of this report.

Security has reportedly been tightened across New Lamka and adjoining areas in anticipation of the large gathering and the possibility of high-profile attendance.

However, the proposed visit has triggered strong resistance from Kuki civil society organisations, which have urged the Chief Minister to stay away until a political resolution to the ongoing conflict is achieved.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the Kuki Civil Society Organisations (KCSOs), Churachandpur, said they had received information regarding the Chief Minister's proposed visit and opposed it outright.

"Until and unless there is a solution to the ongoing Kuki-Zo-Meitei conflict, we would not allow any Meitei individual, officials or group in our district, be it the Chief Minister," the KCSOs said.

The organisations announced a boycott of the proposed visit and warned that any untoward incident arising from it would be the responsibility of the Chief Minister.

In a separate statement, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) appealed to the Chief Minister to defer any proposed visit to Kuki-Zo inhabited districts, including Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal.

"There exists a genuine and imminent risk that such a visit could act as a flashpoint, potentially disturbing the already precarious law and order situation," KIM said, describing the prevailing situation in the hill districts as sensitive and volatile.

Valte, the BJP MLA from Thanlon Assembly Constituency, suffered grievous injuries on May 4, 2023, a day after ethnic violence engulfed Manipur. He remained bedridden for more than three years and underwent prolonged treatment at multiple healthcare facilities before eventually succumbing to his injuries.