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Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Kuki AI-171 hostess's body to be handed over via Nagaland
The body of Air India cabin crew member Lamnunthiem Singson, 25, will be handed over to her family on Thursday, people aware of the matter said on Wednesday, after her body was identified through DNA profiling. Members of the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Kangpokpi (Manipur), said that Singson's body will be taken to the conflict-torn state via Dimapur airport at 1.30 pm. 'For reasons of safety, the family wished that the mortal remains should not be received in Imphal and brought via Meitei areas to Kangpokpi (hill district). Instead, mortal remains will be received at the Dimapur (Nagaland) airport and then be brought via road to Kangpokpi. Relatives and KSO representatives will start for Dimapur early morning and be there to receive the mortal remains,' said K Shongreng, general secretary of Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Kangpokpi unit. To be sure, top police officers and government authorities had on Monday and Tuesday met the family and offered a security convoy from Imphal Valley to Kangpokpi, where they are based, if they wish to receive the body at the Imphal airport. Singson's family used to live in Imphal's New Lambulane area, but fled to the hill district of Kangpopki after the conflict broke out in May 2023. Meities too fled the hill districts and retreated to the valley. These enclaves are now protected by local militia with central security forces only acting as a buffer. Meanwhile, the family of another cabin crew from Manipur, Nganthoi K Sharma, said they are yet to get a positive report from the Ahmedabad civil hospital about a positive DNA match. 'We request the authorities to expedite the process. Our families are also waiting back home,' Nganthoi's sister, Geetanjali said. Nganthoi K Sharma, was a Meitei. Lamnunthiem Singson, was a Kuki-Zo. As of Wednesday evening, the mortal remains of at least 170 victims have been handed over to their families, said Dr Rakesh Joshi, superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. He said that the authorities have contacted 202 relatives of the deceased so far.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uncertainty looms over Kuki air hostess's funeral
New Delhi The shadow of the ethnic conflict that has ravaged Manipur for over two years and effectively split the state into two has cast a shadow over the more recent tragedy, the crash of Flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the passengers and crew, including two members of the cabin crew from Manipur. One of the dead cabin crew, Nganthoi K Sharma, was a Meitei, and the other, Lamnunthiem Singson, was a Kuki-Zo. And even as authorities in Ahmedabad are working to identify and return the bodies of the two women, back in Manipur, there are hectic parleys underway between the local administration, the police, and leaders of the Meitei and Kuki bodies. Since May 2023, the state has been roiled by an ethnic conflict that has resulted in the death of 260 people, and displaced an estimated 50,000 people, the removal of the state's chief minister, and the imposition of President's Rule. It has also seen Kuki-Zos leave Imphal and its surrounding areas and retreat to the hills, and Meiteis do the reverse. These enclaves are protected by local militia with central security forces only serving as a buffer. So, the discussion keeping everyone in Manipur busy now is where Singson's body will land. That's because Kuki-Zos do not enter Imphal (for fear of death). To be sure, top police officers and government authorities have spoken to her family and promised a security convoy from Imphal to Kangpokpi,where they are based, if they wish to receive the body at the Imphal airport. Singson's family, used to live in Imphal's New Lambulane area, but fled to the hill district of Kangpopki after the conflict broke out. The Manipur government said in a press statement issued on Monday night that it is in touch with Air India and the Tata group, and have assured them that it is prepared to receive both bodies at the Imphal airport. 'The final decision regarding mode of reception, ceremonies and other arrangements is left to the bereaved families. The state is committed to provide all necessary support as per their wishes,' it added. The statement also quoted Manipur chief secretary PK Singh, who said, 'Necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that their names are treated with the highest dignity and respect, and subsequently transported safely to their respective homes.' Till late Tuesday evening, Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) members said the body is yet to be handed to them by the authorities of Ahmedabad. Senior police officers, including the Manipur police chief Rajiv Singh, on Monday spoke to the family over phone, offering them adequate security to transport the body by road from Imphal airport, people aware of the matter said. 'The Kangpokpi superintendent of police met the family and assured them of all help if they are confident in letting their child's body come via Imphal. They may also be worried about a backlash from their own community if at all they go to Imphal to collect the body.,' said a senior Manipur police officer who asked not to be named. But it isn't clear if that will happen. K Shongreng, general secretary of Kuki Students Organisation, Kangpokpi unit, which is helping the family said, 'Going to Imphal is not safe for Kuki-Zo people. We all know what has happened to our people there in the last two years. While KSO is helping the family in every way possible, it is up to the family on how they wish to bring the body of their loved one home.' KSO members said one option is for Singson's body to be flown to Dimapur airport in Nagaland and then brought to Kangpokpi by road, as there are no Meitei areas in between. The airport in Mizoram , Aizawl, is used by Kuki people from another hill district, Churachandpur, but travelling from there to Kangpokpi will require passing through Imphal. Still, amidst all of this, there is a ray of hope -- and a glimpse of humanity. One of Imphal's most influential Meitei umbrella groups, COCOMI on Monday urged all sections of society to be united and ensure a dignified return of the bodies in Manipur. Khuraijam Athouba, convener of the COCOMI, said, 'We have appealed to all sections of society, locals clubs, groups and bodies to extend full cooperation. The entire state of Manipur is united in mourning their untimely loss. We urge the state government to make all necessary logistical arrangements for the smooth transfer of the bodies. If willing, the families may come forward to receive their daughters at the airport without hesitation. Let us honour their return and pray for their souls to return in peace.' The police officer cited above added that government and police officers have spoken to Meitei groups and suggested that allowing Singson's body to travel from Imphal to Kangpokpi would be a 'message of peace'. He said many of the groups have responded 'positively'. Singson's family said it will decide on what to do when authorities in Ahmedabad are ready to send the bodies. 'She lost her father long ago and lived with her mother and siblings in Imphal. They had to leave their house in Imphal because of the clashes. Their house was later looted. Her mother stays with us in Kangpokpi now. We are awaiting confirmation from authorities in Ahmedabad . We will issue a statement once we receive a word from Ahmedabad,' said Singson's uncle, Hahao Haipi. (With inputs from Sobhapati Samom)
United News of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Visitors pouring in at Ukhrul for Manipur Shirui festival
Imphal, May 20 (UNI) Large numbers of people including Manipur Governor AK Bhalla have reached Ukhrul district headquarter to attend the Shirui festival scheduled to begin later on Tuesday. The 5th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival will be organised in various spots. The festival is named after the endangered Shirui flower which blooms in May and June in Ukhrul district. The opening ceremony will be held at Heritage ground, Shirui village, followed by Pork eating competition and a rock concert named Shirock at Bakshi ground. In another venue camping, zorbing, ziplining, trampoline, Burma bridge and other interesting events will be organised. Special security measures were also taken up along the Imphal Ukhrul road specially in the areas where some Kuki houses are present as Kuki Students Organisation, Delhi and other Kuki bodies have threatened to attack people belonging to another community. UNI NS ARN
United News of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Militant nabbed in Manipur
States » East Imphal, May 19 (UNI) Manipur Police conducted combing operations during the last 24 hours and nabbed a militant from Mayang Imphal Bazar under Mayang Imphal-PS, Imphal West District. He was involved in extortion activities , police said. Manipur Police has also intensified security at Ukhrul in view of the ensuing Shirui festival to ensure safe passage of people. More security personnel are stationed around a few Kuki homes in the district as Kuki militants and Kuki Students Organisation, Delhi President, Guite, asked Kuki to kill belonging to a particular community. UNI NS ARN
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo student organisations urge people to observe shutdown on May 3 in parts of Manipur
Kuki-Zomi student groups are planning a shutdown of Manipur educational and business institutions on May 3. This marks two years since the start of ethnic violence. Zomi Students Federation and Kuki Students Organisation have called for silent observation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Two Kuki -Zomi student organisations have urged people to observe a shutdown of all educational institutions and business establishments in parts of Manipur on May 3 to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of ethnic violence in the state. Zomi Students Federation ( ZSF) and Kuki Students Organisation ( KSO) said May 3, 2025, marks the completion of two years of the outbreak of the ethnic strife and urged all "to observe the day in silence by closing all educational institutions and all business establishments".More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May imposition of the President's rule came after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended student bodies also called for "hoisting black flags at the respective residences of all".These organisations also said a "mass prayer would be observed at Martyrs' cemetery and a public gathering at the wall of remembrance in Churachandpur district headquarters", and asked the public to attend the the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) said May 3 would be observed as a "Separation Day".In a statement, the ITLF said, "There will be a day of reflection and remembrance for the victims of the ethnic conflict that has deeply impacted the Kuki-Zo communities".There will be a series of programmes, including prayers and exhortations for the victims and their families, a keynote address, organisational reports, and speeches by various tribal leaders, it said in a valley-based COCOMI, a Meitei organisation, had on Tuesday appealed to the people to halt all activities on May 3 and attend a public convention being organised on the day at Khuman Lampak stadium to discuss the future of the of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) also announced that May 3 this year would be observed as a "solemn day of remembrance and solidarity under the theme Bridging Divides for Shared Future".
