DNA testing has officially confirmed the identity of Lamnunthem Singson
Short Summary
DNA testing has officially confirmed the identity of Lamnunthem Singson, the 26-year-old Air India cabin crew member from Manipur, who tragically lost her life in the June 12 Ahmedabad crash of Flight AI-171. As the sole breadwinner of her displaced Kuki-Zo/Thadou family and currently residing in Kangpokpi, her relatives have made a firm plea to avoid transporting her remains through Imphal, requesting the safer route via Dimapur instead. The family emphasized their desire to prevent any politicization of her remains or turn her funeral into a spectacle.
Introduction
Tragedy has a way of revealing what truly matters—and in Manipur, the loss of Lamnunthem Singson has done just that. A young, vibrant cabin crew member aboard Air India Flight AI-171, she was feared lost in the devastating crash near Ahmedabad on June 12. DNA verification has now confirmed her identity—but her family’s dignity matters just as much as her name. Displaced by ethnic violence, they’ve charted a path that transcends historic fault lines, raising vital questions about safety, respect, and unity in grief.
1. Who Was Lamnunthem Singson?
Born in Kangpokpi and active on the frontline of the skies, 26-year-old Singson was Manipur’s pride. She joined Air India three years ago and became the only earning member of her family, which was displaced from Imphal during the conflict starting May 2023. Her oldest brother suffers from chronic illness; the younger siblings are students. Her phone call to her mother on June 11—when she shared her London flight plans—was one of her last messages.
2. DNA Confirmation: Why It Took Time
High-speed crashes and ensuing fires can destroy bodies beyond recognition. Teeth might survive, sometimes fingerprints—but not always. DNA extracted from bone or tissue is the only reliable way forward. Families had to submit samples: blood or cheek swabs, often after traveling long distances. Wildlife-level precision met bureaucratic patience as scientists matched samples—finally confirming Singson’s identity, bringing both relief and heartbreak.
3. Choosing Respect Over Expediency
This is where it gets personal—and political. The family asked officials to avoid Imphal, expressing that Imphal could turn into a political spectacle. COCOMI, a Meitei civil group, had requested public participation in honouring both Singson and her Meitei colleague, Nganthoi Sharma, but the family felt vulnerable taking that route. Instead, they propose Dimapur, Nagaland for receiving the body, followed by a quiet road journey home—a path they say ensures safety and preserves solemnity.
4. The Political Context: A State Divided by Ethnicity
Manipur has been scarred by conflict—over 260 killed, tens of thousands displaced, communities isolated from each other. Kuki-Zo families have fled the Imphal Valley, Meitei have stayed away from Kuki-majority hills. Requests to use Imphal Airport—driven by solidarity—inevitably stir tension and reopen old wounds. The family’s request highlights deep underlying mistrust and the lengths they must take even in grief.
5. COCOMI’s Call vs. Family’s Choice
COCOMI encouraged unity: “Cooperate fully and help families receive bodies at Imphal”—a public gesture bridging communities. But Singson’s family sees things differently: they’re not rejecting help—with Imphal’s officials—they’re protecting themselves from becoming political pawns. The result? A quiet tension between symbolic unity and real-world safety.
6. Dimapur Route: Safety in Solitude
The Dimapur plan is pragmatic:
- It avoids the state fault-line corridor—Imphal—reducing risks.
- Relatives already based in Kangpokpi can escort the remains safely.
- It respects the family’s desire for a private farewell, shielded from media glare.
It’s longer, but it’s a choice rooted in preserving dignity amidst chaos.
7. Broader Implications for Ethnic Harmony
This incident is more than transport logistics. It’s a microcosm of Manipur’s bigger challenge—trusting neighbors across ethnic lines even when tragedy unites us. COCOMI’s gesture and the family’s silence speak volumes: unity needs structural safety, not just moral appeals.
8. What’s Next: Steps Toward a Dignified Farewell
- DNA Results Finalized – Confirmation expected by June 19.
- Dimapur Coordination – Airport authorities, Assam- Nagaland police, and civil officials must align logistics.
- Family Transit – Escort from Airport to Kangpokpi district.
- Local Funeral Planning – Traditional Kuki rites to honor Singson’s memory.
- Public Communication – Government must clarify the process transparently, avoiding the optics of politicization.
9. A Shared Moment or a Divided Ritual?
Grief can unify—but it can also be hijacked. Shared tears may not always translate to shared respect. This scenario highlights a core question: can political symbolism survive in a society where safety can’t be taken for granted?
10. Lessons Beyond the Tragedy
- Individual Voices Matter: Families’ choices must be respected over public optics.
- Infrastructure vs. Emotion: Solidarity needs safe channels, not just calls.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Formal gestures should never override personal grief.
- Ethnic Healing is Pragmatic: Unity isn’t just about optics—it’s about inclusive safety.
11. Conclusion
Lamnunthem Singson’s story is one of courage and care—a young woman soaring above boundaries, bringing comfort, hope, and financial strength to her family. In death, her dignity matters as much as her memory. As Manipur faces its own fractured identity, the way her remains are treated may serve as a true test—whether empathy can overcome history and whether grief can rewrite the narrative of fear.
FAQs
1. Why is the family avoiding Imphal for Singson’s body?
They worry that her arrival in Imphal could be politicized or unsafe; they instead prefer Dimapur—a private, peaceful route.
2. What exactly has COCOMI requested?
They appealed for community unity—urging families of both crew members to be received respectfully at Imphal Airport by civil organizations and citizens.
3. When will DNA confirmation be completed?
Authorities expect DNA testing results and certification around June 19, allowing legal transfer of remains.
4. Who was Lamnunthem Singson in her family?
A 26-year-old Air India cabin crew member and the sole breadwinner for a displaced family—her loss is both personal and economic.
5. Does this affect ethnic reconciliation in Manipur?
Yes—it’s a symbolic moment. True reconciliation demands both heartfelt solidarity and guaranteed communal safety; both must coexist for lasting healing.
