The Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, has plunged the state of Manipur into mourning, as two of its young residents were among the victims. Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, both cabin crew members on the ill-fated flight, lost their lives in the tragic incident.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The flight was bound for London, carrying a mix of Indian, British, and other nationals. Except for one survivor, all others on board perished in the crash.
News of the tragedy has sent shockwaves through Manipur, with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh expressing his condolences via social media platform X. He described the loss as "heartbreaking," noting that both women were "full of life, serving with dedication and pride." He further added that their sudden passing is a significant loss for their families, friends, and the entire state.
Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma hailed from Thoubal district in the Manipur valley and belonged to the Meitei community. According to reports, she joined Air India in April 2023 after a campus recruitment drive at DM College of Commerce in Imphal. At the time of her passing, Nganthoi was 22 years old. Her father, K Nandeshkumar, and mother are reportedly in deep trauma and unable to speak. Nganthoi was the second of three daughters. A relative shared that the family tried contacting her multiple times after the news broke, but their calls went unanswered.
Lamnunthem Singson, on the other hand, belonged to the Thadou community, which is part of the larger Kuki-Zo community. She was originally from Imphal but had to relocate with her family to Kangpokpi district following the outbreak of ethnic clashes in May 2023. This displacement made her family internally displaced persons (IDPs). Lamnunthem joined Air India as a cabin crew member in 2024 and was in her late twenties.
The tragedy highlights the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, which have resulted in significant displacement and loss of life. The fact that the two victims belonged to different communities underscores the far-reaching impact of the conflict on the state. Despite the divisions, their deaths have brought a moment of shared grief to Manipur.
The Air India crash has claimed the lives of several other crew members, including Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, First Officer Clive Kunder, and flight attendant Deepak Pathak.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, families of the victims are grappling with unimaginable pain and loss. The state of Manipur mourns the loss of two young women who represented its aspirations and potential. Their stories serve as a reminder of the human cost of such tragedies and the importance of unity and peace in the face of adversity.
