Imphal: The seventh session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which had been adjourned sine die on February 5, 2026, resumed today at the Assembly Hall in Imphal. The session began with obituary references delivered by sitting members of the House.
Six out of nine Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs attended the first day of the budget session through virtual mode via video conference. Their attendance was displayed live on a television screen inside the Assembly hall. The MLAs who participated virtually included Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen; L.M. Khaute, MLA of 58-Churachandpur (ST) Assembly Constituency; Letzamang Haokip, MLA of 57-Henglep Assembly Constituency; Ngursanglur Sanate, MLA of 55-Tipaimukh (ST) Assembly Constituency; Kimneo Haokip Hansing, MLA of 46-Saikul (ST) Assembly Constituency; and Haokholet Kipgen, MLA of 51-Saitu (ST) Assembly Constituency. Among them, L.M. Khaute also took part in the discussion on the obituary references.
Members across party lines expressed deep condolences over the passing of several prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh; former Governor of Manipur La. Ganesan; former MLAs Thoudam Debendra, B.D. Behring, Henam Lokhon Singh, Vungzagin Valte, Dr. Khasim Ruivah, Thangminlen Kipgen, Meinam Bhorot Singh, Peter Pheirei and Yumnam Mani Singh; former Member of the Manipur State Territorial Assembly (1967) Smt. Aribam Bimola; sitting MLA N. Kaisii; and former Secretaries of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat Thokchom Babu Singh and Rajkumar Modhusana.
Leader of the House and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh told DIPR Manipur that the participation of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs in the Assembly session was a positive step toward restoring normalcy in the state. He described it as a good beginning that should be encouraged.
Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Satyabrata Singh also welcomed the development, noting that six Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs had attended the first day of the budget session. He further recalled that during the trust vote of Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh on February 5, three Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs—Nemcha Kipgen, L.M. Khaute and Ngursanglur Sanate—had also joined the proceedings through video conference.
The Speaker informed the House that Shri Letpao Haokip had sought leave of absence from the budget session due to illness. The House unanimously granted the request.
Official sources stated that the state government had earlier made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the virtual participation of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs. Facilities were set up at NIC centres in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, as well as at Manipur Bhawan in Guwahati and New Delhi, to enable their participation in the Assembly proceedings.
Speaking during the obituary discussion, L.M. Khaute, MLA from Churachandpur, addressed the House via video conference and paid tribute to the departed leaders. He particularly noted that former MLA Vungzagin Valte had passed away under tragic circumstances and had worked dedicatedly for the development of the Thanlon constituency.
During the session, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh moved a resolution expressing deep sorrow over the deaths. The House adopted the resolution and observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Initiating the obituary reference, Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh said that the death of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was a great loss to the nation. He also acknowledged the contributions of former Governor La. Ganesan during his tenure in the state and expressed deep condolences over the unfortunate demise of MLA Vungzagin Valte.
Senior member of the House O. Ibobi Singh also conveyed his condolences, highlighting the contributions made by the deceased leaders and officials in their respective fields.
Other members who participated in the obituary reference included K. Meghachandra, Kh. Joykisan, Dr. Sapam Ranjan Singh, S. Rajen Singh, Khasim Vashum, Awangbow Newmai, M. Rameshwar, Ram Muivah, Karam Shyam, Th. Shyamkumar, S. Kunjakeswor Singh, Md. Abdul Nasir, S.S. Olish, L.M. Khaute, Th. Shanti Singh and K. Loken Singh, all of whom expressed deep sorrow over the losses.
