4 days ago
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.
