The grief-stricken community of Kangpokpi, Manipur, bid a tearful farewell to Lamnunthem Singson, a 26-year-old Air India cabin crew member who tragically lost her life in the Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12, 2025. Thousands gathered to mourn her passing, showcasing a profound sense of loss and unity in the face of tragedy.
Singson was among the 241 passengers and crew aboard Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The crash claimed the lives of 241 people on board and 33 on the ground and left only one survivor.
Her mortal remains arrived in Kangpokpi on Thursday night, after being flown to Dimapur Airport in Nagaland. A solemn program was held at Dimapur airport, where family members, community leaders, and officials received her body. A convoy then carried her to Kangpokpi, pausing in Kohima where Kuki groups offered floral tributes.
On Friday, thousands lined the streets of Kangpokpi to pay their respects. A candlelight vigil, organized by the Kangpokpi Town Committee, stretched from the heart of the town to Ward No. 8, where Singson resided with her family. People of all ages stood in silence, holding candles as the funeral convoy passed. At her residence, a prayer service was held, and a traditional shawl was draped over her coffin. The funeral took place at the town cemetery at 11:00 am. Manipur Police confirmed that the last rites were conducted peacefully and with dignity, with adequate security measures in place.
Singson's family had relocated to Kangpokpi in 2023 from Imphal's Old Lambulane colony following ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Adding to the tragedy, another cabin crew member from Manipur, 21-year-old Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma from the Meitei community, also perished in the same crash. Her mortal remains are yet to arrive in the state. Nganthoi's father traveled to Ahmedabad to complete identification procedures. The shared loss has fostered a rare moment of unity across communities in Manipur, setting aside ethnic tensions.
The Air India crash has prompted deeper checks on the airline's Dreamliner fleet, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Air India has suspended some long-haul flights and reduced the frequency of others. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered stricter adherence to regulations and strengthened internal coordination within the airline.
The black box units from the wreckage have sustained damage, complicating the investigation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating the crash, with assistance from the U.K., the U.S., and Boeing officials. Authorities are using DNA matching to identify victims, and 210 bodies have been handed over to their families as of Friday.
The airline's chairman has stated that the Boeing 787-8 aircraft had a "clean history," with the right engine newly installed in March 2025 and the left engine last serviced in 2023. Despite this, the crash remains a mystery, and investigators are exploring all possible causes, including the possibility of sabotage.
