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New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Ahmedabad plane crash: Mortal remains of one crew member reach Nagaland; another expected to arrive in Manipur soon
GUWAHATI: The mortal remains of Lamnunthem Singson (26), a cabin crew member from Manipur who lost her life in the Ahmedabad plane crash, will reach her home in Manipur's Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district late Thursday evening. The remains were brought to Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur from Ahmedabad by a flight in the afternoon. After a condolence service, a convoy of vehicles carrying the remains left for Kangpokpi. Family members, relatives, leaders from Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Sadar Hills and community organisations were among those who were present at the airport. KSO Sadar Hills general secretary K Shongreng told this newspaper that the last rites would be performed on Friday afternoon. Lamnunthem was from the Kuki-Zo community. Her family lived in the Old Lambulane area of Imphal Valley before moving to Kangpokpi following the outbreak of the ethnic violence in 2023.
India Gazette
15-06-2025
- India Gazette
Manipur unites in grief following AI 171 plane crash
Churachandpur (Manipur) [India], June 15 (ANI): In a rare moment of shared mourning, people across Manipur -- still reeling from ongoing ethnic unrest -- have come together to grieve the tragic loss of two young women from the state who were among the ten cabin crew members killed in the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The victims were 21-year-old Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam from Thoubal district and 28-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, a Kuki woman who had been displaced by the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur in May 2023. She was living in the Kangpokpi district. The tragedy has struck a deep emotional chord in a state often divided along ethnic lines. Civil society groups and residents from both the Meitei and Kuki communities have expressed sorrow and solidarity, highlighting the shared humanity that transcends conflict. 'We are deeply sorry that one of our daughters, who was displaced due to the Manipur crisis, has met with such a tragic incident,' said D J Haokip, General Secretary of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur. He added, 'Our hearts are with the grieving families, and we stand in solidarity with them. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy.' Chairman of the Zomi Council, Vumsuan Naulak, emphasised the loss not just as a local tragedy, but as a reminder of the contributions of women from Manipur to the nation's workforce. He said, 'It was a truly tragic incident; the air crash was a heartbreaking reality. The involvement of two women from Manipur, serving as airline staff, is a testament to the significant contribution of women from our state in the country's aviation sector. We extend our deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.' For many, the news of the crash hit home in the most personal way. 'After the plane crash, my son, who is out of state, called me and told me that two of the victims were from Manipur -- one girl from Thoubal and another from Kangpokpi,' said Umakanta Sharma, a resident of Imphal. 'We felt deeply saddened to hear the news,' he added. As Manipur continues to struggle with the aftermath of prolonged ethnic violence that has left many dead and thousands displaced, this shared loss has emerged as a powerful reminder that grief knows no boundaries. In mourning, Manipur has momentarily found unity. (ANI)
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Death of cabin crew members blurs Kuki-Meitei divide
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolkata: In the heart of Manipur, profound sorrow has woven its way through the fabric of a community long divided by conflict. The tragic loss of the two cabin crew members — a Kuki and a Meitei — in Thursday's Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has momentarily eclipsed the strife between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities, uniting them in shared grief. Ever since the news of the crash broke on Thursday afternoon, family members began prayers for Lamnunthiem Singson, a Kuki Zo and Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailakpam, a Meitei girl, both part of the 10-member cabin crew on board the ill-fated Air India flight. A day later, civil society organisations and individuals have come forward, offering their support, while social media has become a canvas for heartfelt condolences and prayers for the young souls lost too soon. "People of Manipur are collectively heartbroken, leaving aside the narrow community lines. Our state has been divided for over two years on ethnic lines. Tragically, in their death, the angels of the sky brought together the two communities and left a grim reminder of how precious human lives are and the need for peaceful coexistence, as we have done for centuries," a spokesperson for the Delhi-based Meitei Heritage Society said. Nganthoi's relatives rushed to Ahmedabad on Friday for a DNA test after authorities asked her cousin N Khenjita to fly down. Family members of Kuki cabin crew Lamnunthiem Singson are also in Ahmedabad for similar tests. "In their passing, they have become angels of the sky, reminding us of the preciousness of human life and the urgent need for peace," he added. In a gesture of remembrance, the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) in Delhi announced a candlelight march to honour all victims of the crash. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the grieving families, particularly noting the plight of Singson, who was the sole breadwinner for her family displaced by ethnic violence. Her family, now residing in a rented house in Kangpokpi, faces an uncertain future without her. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. From politicians to everyday citizens, both within Manipur and beyond, expressions of disbelief and sorrow have flooded in. One 'X' user said, "In life, they came from communities divided by conflict, and in death, they remind us that, in the end, we all share the same fate." Manipur Congress leader Lamtinthang Haokip took to social media to honour the young women, offering his deepest condolences to their families. "May their souls rest in peace," he wrote, echoing the sentiments of a community united in mourning by the shared loss of two bright stars extinguished too soon. Former chief minister N Biren Singh tweeted late on Thursday, saying how two young girls from Manipur, a Kuki-Zo and Meitei had possibly lost their lives in the Ahmedabad air crash. "It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in today's Air India crash in Ahmedabad," he wrote on 'X'. "Both were full of life, serving with dedication and pride. Their sudden passing is a huge loss for their families, friends, and for all of us back home," he wrote, adding: "May their souls rest in peace and may their loved ones find the strength to get through this unimaginable pain. " Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
India Today
17-05-2025
- India Today
Manipur: Case against Kuki student leader who threatened Meiteis ahead of festival
A case has been registered against Paojakhup Guite, president of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Delhi, after a video surfaced on social media allegedly showing him issuing threats to the Meitei community, warning them not to cross the buffer zone to attend the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival in two communities have been at loggerheads, resulting in widespread ethnic violence that has ravaged the state since May Police confirmed an FIR has been registered against Guite and stated that a search operation to nab him has been launched. "As regards to one Paojakhup Guite, President of KSO Delhi, who threatened the Meitei community in a video circulated on social media, an FIR has been registered. Raids are being conducted in nearby districts for his immediate arrest," Manipur Police said in a post on an effort to expedite the search, authorities have also reached out to police departments in neighbouring states — Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya — seeking assistance in locating and apprehending Guite."The police of neighbouring states of Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland & Meghalaya etc have been requested for arresting him as quickly as possible. All necessary security arrangements shall be made to ensure security of people attending the Shirui festival," the post further security has been heightened ahead of the 5th Shirui Lily Festival, scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24 in Manipur's Ukhrul district. Law enforcement agencies have assured the public of robust security arrangements to ensure the festival proceeds peacefully and without Shirui Lily Festival, a state-level cultural celebration named after the rare Shirui Lily found in the region, is being held outside Imphal city for the first Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recently chaired a preparatory meeting of the festival's organising facilitate public participation, the Manipur State Transport (MST) has announced special bus services from Imphal to Ukhrul from May 20 to 24. Three buses will operate daily between the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Imphal, and Shirui Public Ground, Ukhrul, with tickets priced at Rs 200 per continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony during the festival ETHNIC VIOLENCEOn May 3, 2023, ethnic violence erupted in Manipur between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills following a High Court's order that recommended a Scheduled Tribe status for the dominant Meitei led to the death of nearly 250 people and 60,000 others were displaced. This decision was later criticised by the Supreme Watch IN THIS STORY#Manipur
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
FIR against Kuki student union president ‘for threatening' Meiteis
GUWAHATI: Manipur police have filed an FIR against Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) Delhi and NCR president Paojakhup Guite after a video surfaced showing him threatening to block Meitei people from crossing buffer zones to attend next week's Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Police launched a search to arrest Guite. Police in Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya have also been asked to assist in his arrest, officials said Saturday. The festival celebrates state flower Shirui Lily, found only in Tangkhul Naga-majority hills of Ukhrul. Police have assured protection for participants traveling to Ukhrul.
