'Not Fear But Wisdom': Family of Kuki Flight Attendant Killed in Crash Chooses Not to Land in Imphal With Her Body

New Delhi: The family of Lamnunthem Singson, a flight attendant of the Kuki-Zo community who lost her life in the Ahmedabad-London Air India plane crash, chose not to land in Imphal with her mortal remains due to the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. 

Instead, they transported her body from Ahmedabad to Dimapur in Nagaland and then undertook a 160-kilometre road journey to their rented home in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Roads in that stretch are known to be in a bad condition.

Lamnunthem Singson was the breadwinner of her family. She is survived by her mother, Nemneilhing, and three siblings – Gouneo, Lamnunthem, and Justin.

The family was originally from Imphal’s Old Lambulane area – one of the oldest Kuki-majority areas in the city. They were forced to flee their home in May 2023 when ethnic violence broke out.

Also read: Among Cabin Crew Who Lost Their Lives in Ahmedabad Crash Were Two Women From Manipur

'One wrong move in volatile valley'

Speaking to The Wire, Singson’s cousin, Henry, said, “The irony is heartbreaking. Her late grandfather, C.L. Singson, was a former IAS officer and chairman of the Manipur Public Service Commission. Her aunt, also an IAS officer, helped build the administrative framework of this state. Yet, despite this legacy of service to Manipur, her family was forcibly uprooted by Meitei majoritarian aggression.”

Henry expressed fears that his sister’s house was also under the control of militant groups in Imphal. As The Wire has previously reported, even under President's Rule, Kuki-dominated areas in Imphal remain under the control of armed militia groups. 

When asked why the family chose to avoid Imphal, Henry explained, “The Manipur government, through the Army, had offered full security and escort from Imphal to Kangpokpi. Even COCOMI extended assurances. But the family declined, not out of fear, but out of wisdom. We know how volatile the valley is. One wrong move could put lives at risk and derail our larger struggle.”

Manipur has only one airport, located in the capital city, Imphal, which is Meitei-majority and which the Kuki community in this ethnically divided state can no longer access. In 2023, Union home minister Amit Shah launched a helicopter service to allow Kukis to travel directly from the hills to Imphal airport, as the state is sharply divided between the hills and the valley. However, this reporter has found that no one has used this service yet.

In a press note dated June 16, 2025, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) appealed for public cooperation in receiving the mortal remains of the two women from Manipur who died in the Air India crash – Lamnunthem Singson and Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma. Sharma belonged to the Meitei community which populates the valley.

The committee stated:

“COCOMI appeals to all sections of society… to extend full cooperation and support in receiving the mortal remains at Imphal Airport and ensuring their dignified return to their respective families for final rites.

“COCOMI is ready to extend any coordination or assistance required during this process.

“May the land of Manipur welcome back her daughters with love and pride.”

Manipur chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh also issued a statement, saying the state government had made all necessary arrangements to ensure that the remains of both crew members were treated with “the highest dignity and respect” and safely returned to their respective families:

“However, the final decision regarding the mode of reception, ceremonies, and other arrangements is respectfully left to the bereaved families. The State is committed to providing all necessary support as per their wishes."

Violence continues

Despite such assurances, fear and mistrust remain among displaced families.

In May 2023, days after the ethnic violence erupted, a mob torched an ambulance carrying a child and his caretakers. All three inside were burned alive.

Incidents like this continue to haunt families such as Singson's, shaping their choices even during moments of personal grief. On June 19, the day Singson’s remains and her family were scheduled to land in Imphal, a fresh incident occurred. A Kuki woman, Hoikholhing, the wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi in Churachandpur, was killed.

Manipur Police in a press statement said:

“Today, at approximately 3:00 PM, one Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a cultivator from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in his left arm by an unknown armed miscreant while working in his paddy field at Phubala Maning. He was initially taken to District Hospital, Bishnupur, and later referred to RIMS Hospital, Imphal. His condition is stable.”

In response, security forces launched search operations in and around Langchingmanbi, Heichanglok, and the western areas of Phubala village.

“Local police have attended to the incident, and the deceased is being transported to District Hospital, Churachandpur, for necessary legal formalities. Cases have been registered, and investigations are underway. Combined security forces are continuing search operations to nab the culprits. Every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice at the earliest,” the police statement added.

The mortal remains of Singson will be buried today (June 20) in Kangpokpi district. 

For many displaced families in Manipur, the trauma of conflict continues to cast long shadows. So far, more than 260 people have lost their lives. The state remains under President’s Rule.

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