Singson's remains to arrive today, kin opt to bypass Imphal
Guwahati/Kolkata: The family of Lamnunthem Singson, a 26-year-old Kuki flight attendant from the ill-fated Ahmedabad-London flight, have opted to transport her mortal remains to Kangpokpi district in Manipur on Thursday via Dimapur airport in Nagaland, avoiding Imphal due to the ongoing ethnic tension.
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After the crash, it was revealed that Singson and her family had relocated from Imphal during the early phases of the 2023 conflict. They currently reside in a rented accommodation in Kangpokpi town.
"We have received confirmation about a positive DNA match being found in the sample we had provided. Her remains have been identified," said Marina Singson, the cousin of the crash victim. Marina said her family hopes to give their daughter a traditional farewell in her home state.
Kangpokpi deputy commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari said the state govt offered support from Imphal airport to Kangpokpi but they respect the family's decision to travel through Dimapur, acknowledging their emotional state during this difficult period.
The aircraft carrying Singson's remains and family members is scheduled to land in Dimapur at 1 pm Thursday, reaching Kangpokpi town by 7.30pm. Chaudhari said security measures are in place for the journey.
"I spoke to her mother a day back. She is having a hard time coping with the situation. She says she cannot imagine a life or a future without her only daughter," Marina said. She also expressed gratitude for the support and condolences that have poured in for the family.
K Songreng from the Kangpokpi district unit of the Kuki Students' Organization (KSO), which is coordinating Singson's final journey, said travelling through Imphal is not viable at present.
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Due to the Meitei-Kuki-Zo tension, the family must now traverse 250 km by road from Dimapur airport to Kangpokpi town via NH2, rather than the shorter 75 km route from Imphal airport.
Despite assurances from COCOMI and the Manipur chief secretary regarding safe passage, the KSO representative deemed travel through Imphal unsuitable. Prayer services are planned along the Dimapur route.
KSO officials have confirmed Friday's funeral arrangements at a Kangpokpi town public cemetery.
Local Kuki women are organising a reception at the rented residence where Singson's relatives will bring the remains from Ahmedabad.
"This is the biggest possible tragedy for the families to lose their young daughters in this manner. It is immoral and simply wrong to exploit this human tragedy for a vested interest by playing politics over the dead bodies," said Meitei Heritage Society in a media release.
The organisation believes that politics is being played by some groups with vested interests over bringing Singson's body through Imphal airport.
Meanwhile, Gitanjali Kongbrailatpam, whose 20-year-old Meitei sister Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma was also aboard in the same flight, is in Ahmedabad since June 13 waiting for DNA results. "We are eagerly waiting in the hotel, after they took my sample for DNA matching. They (hospital officials) told us to wait and keep patience," Gitanjali said.
"DNA samples of 200-odd victims matched. Hopefully, DNAs of the rest, including my sister, will match today or tomorrow. It's been so long, we just need a confirmation call from the hospital," Gitanjali said. She expressed regret about limited communication with Nganthoi on the day of the incident. "She only sent me a text message sharing the flight timing. She did not talk much that day," she added.
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2 days ago
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Thousands Mourn As Body Of Air India Crew Member Reaches Home In Manipur
In a night heavy with sorrow, silence, and candlelight, the body of Lamnunthem Singson - fondly known as Neonu - finally returned home to Kangpokpi late Thursday evening. At around 9:20 pm yesterday, her body arrived at a heart-wrenching scene in the town, as thousands of townspeople lined the streets to honour their brave daughter, who lost her life in the tragic Air India crash. Under the aegis of the Kangpokpi Town Committee, a human chain and candlelight vigil stretched for kilometres along both sides of National Highway-2. Young and old, men and women, friends and strangers, all stood shoulder to shoulder, holding flickering candles in a silent tribute that lit up the dark night with love and grief. At her residence, a solemn reception with prayer was offered, and the traditional draping of a shawl over her coffin was done. Among the most heartbreaking sights of the evening was her widowed mother, her closest companion, sitting tearfully beside Neonu's lifeless body - her face etched with unspeakable grief, her hands resting gently on the casket, unwilling to let go. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 am today, followed by her burial at the town cemetery later in the afternoon. Kangpokpi, cloaked in mourning, prepares to bid a final farewell to a beloved daughter whose memory will forever remain etched in the heart of her people. 26-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, a dedicated Air India cabin crew member, was among the victims of the ill-fated Air India crash. According to family sources, Singson was not originally scheduled to fly on the ill-fated flight. She stepped in to cover for a colleague who had taken sick leave - a decision that now stands as a heartbreaking twist of fate and a testament to her professionalism and commitment to her job. Just a night before the tragedy, she had spoken to her mother, Nemneilhing Singson, telling her she wanted to sleep early in preparation for her duty the next day. The two, as was their nightly routine, had prayed together over the phone before sleeping, unaware that it would be their final conversation. Born on November 13, 1998, Lamnunthem was the only daughter of her widowed mother and the third among four siblings. Her late father, Lienminlun Singson, had passed away years ago. Following the ethnic violence that engulfed Manipur in May 2023, the Singson family, belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, fled their ancestral home in Imphal's Old Lambulane area and have since lived in a rented house in Kangpokpi district. Despite facing immense challenges, Lamnunthem emerged as the family's sole breadwinner. Her eldest brother, Ngamlienthang, is battling a serious medical condition and is under treatment in Guwahati, while her youngest sibling, Lenjathang, is still too young to work.
Time of India
3 days ago
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Singson's remains to arrive today, kin opt to bypass Imphal
Guwahati/Kolkata: The family of Lamnunthem Singson, a 26-year-old Kuki flight attendant from the ill-fated Ahmedabad-London flight, have opted to transport her mortal remains to Kangpokpi district in Manipur on Thursday via Dimapur airport in Nagaland, avoiding Imphal due to the ongoing ethnic tension. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After the crash, it was revealed that Singson and her family had relocated from Imphal during the early phases of the 2023 conflict. They currently reside in a rented accommodation in Kangpokpi town. "We have received confirmation about a positive DNA match being found in the sample we had provided. Her remains have been identified," said Marina Singson, the cousin of the crash victim. Marina said her family hopes to give their daughter a traditional farewell in her home state. Kangpokpi deputy commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari said the state govt offered support from Imphal airport to Kangpokpi but they respect the family's decision to travel through Dimapur, acknowledging their emotional state during this difficult period. The aircraft carrying Singson's remains and family members is scheduled to land in Dimapur at 1 pm Thursday, reaching Kangpokpi town by 7.30pm. Chaudhari said security measures are in place for the journey. "I spoke to her mother a day back. She is having a hard time coping with the situation. She says she cannot imagine a life or a future without her only daughter," Marina said. She also expressed gratitude for the support and condolences that have poured in for the family. K Songreng from the Kangpokpi district unit of the Kuki Students' Organization (KSO), which is coordinating Singson's final journey, said travelling through Imphal is not viable at present. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Due to the Meitei-Kuki-Zo tension, the family must now traverse 250 km by road from Dimapur airport to Kangpokpi town via NH2, rather than the shorter 75 km route from Imphal airport. Despite assurances from COCOMI and the Manipur chief secretary regarding safe passage, the KSO representative deemed travel through Imphal unsuitable. Prayer services are planned along the Dimapur route. KSO officials have confirmed Friday's funeral arrangements at a Kangpokpi town public cemetery. Local Kuki women are organising a reception at the rented residence where Singson's relatives will bring the remains from Ahmedabad. "This is the biggest possible tragedy for the families to lose their young daughters in this manner. It is immoral and simply wrong to exploit this human tragedy for a vested interest by playing politics over the dead bodies," said Meitei Heritage Society in a media release. The organisation believes that politics is being played by some groups with vested interests over bringing Singson's body through Imphal airport. Meanwhile, Gitanjali Kongbrailatpam, whose 20-year-old Meitei sister Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma was also aboard in the same flight, is in Ahmedabad since June 13 waiting for DNA results. "We are eagerly waiting in the hotel, after they took my sample for DNA matching. They (hospital officials) told us to wait and keep patience," Gitanjali said. "DNA samples of 200-odd victims matched. Hopefully, DNAs of the rest, including my sister, will match today or tomorrow. It's been so long, we just need a confirmation call from the hospital," Gitanjali said. She expressed regret about limited communication with Nganthoi on the day of the incident. "She only sent me a text message sharing the flight timing. She did not talk much that day," she added.
Time of India
5 days ago
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COCOMI calls for unity in honouring crash victims
Imphal: As Manipur waits for the arrival of the mortal remains of two AI 171 crash victims, COCOMI has appealed to all sections of society to cooperate in receiving the remains at Imphal airport. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It has also urged the state govt and relevant authorities to arrange smooth transfer of the remains to the victims' respective homes. COCOMI assured the families of the two crash victims — Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma of Thoubal and Namlunthiem Singson of Kanpokpi — of full support during the repatriation and final rites. Calling for unity in grief, COCOMI urged the people of Manipur to honour the return of the deceased with dignity and love as the state is mourning the loss of its two promising daughters. DNA identification of the bodies is currently underway and expected to take around 72 hours, after which the remains would be flown to Manipur. On the other hand, the AAI in Imphal said it would extend all possible support and assistance for the arrival of the remains at Imphal airport. "We extend our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of Ms Namlunthiem Singson (26) and Ms Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailakpam (20)—beloved daughters of Manipur and esteemed members of the 10-member cabin crew aboard Air India Flight AI 171, which met with a tragic accident shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12," AAI stated in a press note. "Their unwavering commitment to duty, exemplified by grace, professionalism, and courage, will be remembered with profound respect and enduring admiration," the note added while condoling the deaths.
