Body Of Lamnunthem Singson Reaches Manipur; Last Rites To Be Held Today
Lamnunthem Singson, a 26‑year‑old Kuki cabin crew member who tragically died in the Air India Flight AI 171 crash on June 12, finally returned home to Kangpokpi, Manipur, late on June 19. Her body was flown from Ahmedabad to Dimapur (Nagaland), then driven safely to Kangpokpi due to persistent ethnic tensions around Imphal. A solemn reception and vigil marked her arrival, and her traditional last rites are scheduled for today with full community participation
1. Introduction: A Heartbreaking Return
It was late on June 19 when the body of 26‑year‑old Lamnunthem “Neonu” Singson reached her hometown, Kangpokpi district, Manipur. Months of waiting, official complexities, and surging ethnic turmoil finally culminated in this somber homecoming. Tonight, she is set to receive traditional final rites—loved ones and locals join hands to honour her life, courage, and deep community ties.
2. Flight AI 171 and the Tragic Loss
The young Kuki flight attendant was among the crew on Air India Flight AI 171. Tragically, the Airbus crashed shortly after departing Ahmedabad on June 12, claiming 241 lives onboard . At just 26 years old, Lamnunthem had built a bright path in aviation—a career filled with promise, caring professionalism, and dedication. She had stepped in for a sick colleague that fateful day—a tragic twist that claimed her future in a moment of selfless service .
3. Why Dimapur and Kangpokpi? The Detour Explained
Normally, bodies would pass through Imphal—Manipur’s capital—for customary rites and onward transport. But the region has seen severe ethnic unrest since May 2023, primarily between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Safety for the grieving family was paramount. They chose a route through Dimapur in Nagaland, a 250 km journey by road, rather than the shorter 75 km via Imphal. This alternative route came with significant logistical, emotional, and security challenges
4. The Arrival: Candlelight, Tributes & Community Mourning
At Dimapur airport, flags dipped and voices hushed as representatives from Kuki community groups – including Kuki Students’ Union Nagaland, Naga Council, and others – paid heartfelt homage A moving candlelight vigil and human chain stretched along National Highway‑2 near Kangpokpi, where thousands came together; they held candles, joined hands, and observed a solemn moment of silence into the night
5. Ethnic Tensions Impacting Personal Farewells
Though funerals are intensely personal, they can’t escape geopolitics. The ripple effect of communal mistrust made Imphal an unsafe route for the Singson family. Handling a funeral convoy through a tense city would have been painful, hazardous, and traumatic. The family’s choice revealed how ethnic unrest isn’t confined to violence—it intrudes on grief, tradition, and the right to mourn in peace
6. The Family’s Pain: Long Road Through Grief
Marina Singson, cousin to Lamnunthem, confirmed a positive DNA match—pausing hope and heartbreak—and expressed the crushing emotional burden: losing the family’s only daughter and sole provider weighs heavily on her mother The family has grappled with mounting grief, logistical challenges, and communal vulnerabilities at every step.
7. Official Support and Security Measures
Local authorities, including Kangpokpi’s deputy commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari, offered travel support from Imphal, though the family declined in favour of Dimapur. Still, security escorts accompanied the convoy, and prayer services along the way reassured the family that justice and safety would mark this final journey
8. Unity in Pain: Cross‑Community Solidarity
This tragedy isn’t confined to one community. Another cabin crew member, 20‑year‑old Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma from the Meitei community, also perished. Though her remains have not yet arrived, her presence symbolizes catastrophic losses across Manipur’s divides
Civil society and student groups—from Kuki, Meitei, and ZO communities—have rallied together, issuing joint statements and funeral arrangements to demonstrate that grief can overcome political and ethnic friction. Even Meitei heritage groups have cautioned against politicizing such personal tragedies
9. What Happens Next: Today’s Final Rites
On Friday morning, Kangpokpi rests in mourning. Traditional funeral rites begin at around 11 am local time. The ceremonies will include prayers, last respects, religious rites, and burial in the local cemetery. Thousands are expected to gather, bearing candles and floral tributes, as the community prepares to honour Singson’s memory and legacy .
10. Lessons Learned: Safety, Solidarity, Hope
- Ethnic tension disrupts even last farewells. A grieving family having to detour due to tensions is a stark reminder of ongoing unrest’s far‑reaching consequences.
- Community solidarity transcends conflict. Grief can connect communities more than divisions. Today, the entire region mourns Neonu together.
- Importance of secure corridors. Safe pathways for funerals, medical aid, and routine travel are fundamental to humanitarian integrity.
- Honouring heroes humanely. Lamnunthem’s sacrifice—stepping in for a colleague—resonates. Today, both the aviation sector and society mourn her dedication.
- Path to healing is communal. Shared mourning builds groundwork for dialogue and rebuilding trust across communities.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who was Lamnunthem Singson?
She was a 26‑year‑old Kuki flight attendant working on Air India Flight AI 171. Known affectionately as “Neonu,” she covered for a sick colleague and tragically lost her life in the crash on June 12
Q2: Why did her body travel via Dimapur instead of Imphal?
Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities made Imphal unsafe. The family chose a longer but calmer route via Nagaland’s Dimapur to ensure security and respect
Q3: What were the events during the arrival?
A solemn reception at Dimapur airport, floral tributes from regional community groups, a candlelight vigil along the convoy’s route, and tributes in Kohima marked her homecoming
Q4: When and where are her final rites being held?
Friday, June 20, at around 11 am in Kangpokpi town. She’s to be laid to rest in the local public cemetery with traditional ceremonies and community turnout
Q5: Have there been calls for communal unity in her memory?
Yes—students, social leaders, and groups from both Kuki and Meitei backgrounds condemned politicizing grief and hailed Neonu’s passing as an opportunity for mutual empathy and peace
