Honoring Nganthoi and Lamnunthem: Manipur’s Tragic Loss

The Tragic Air India Crash

Manipur is in deep sorrow. The community mourns the loss of two beloved citizens, Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam and Lamnunthem Singson. They were part of the cabin crew on an Air India flight that tragically crashed in Ahmedabad.

Understanding the Crash

The crash was devastating. Out of 241 people on board, only one survived. Police reported sending 265 bodies for postmortems. The exact number of ground casualties remains unknown.

Remembering the Victims

Nganthoi was a young woman of 21 years. She hailed from Thoubal district. Lamnunthem was 28 years old. She had been displaced from Imphal due to ethnic violence in May 2023. She was living in the Kuki-dominated hill district of Kangpokpi.

The Conflict in Manipur

Manipur has been facing challenging times. The conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities has resulted in:

• 260 deaths
• Over 70,000 people forced to leave their homes

Unity in Grief

Civil society groups across Manipur have expressed their sorrow. They highlighted that Nganthoi and Lamnunthem worked together, symbolizing unity and hope.

A Symbol of Hope

The North East Society at Ambedkar University Delhi shared, “They worked side by side in the skies. They represented unity in diversity. They were a symbol of hope and harmony amidst today’s troubled times.”

Editorial Tributes

The Sangai Express published an editorial titled “Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem: Joining Hands in Grief.” It noted that in death, the two young women managed to unite the Kuki and Meitei communities.

The Families’ Devastation

Nganthoi’s father, Nandesh Kumar Sharma, first heard about the crash through friends. The internet was suspended in Manipur due to the conflict.

Last Communications

Nganthoi had informed her family about her flight to London a few hours before take-off. Her father made several calls to her, but her phone was eventually switched off.

Waiting for Closure

The family waited in anguish, knowing that only one person had survived the crash. They are now waiting for her last rites and DNA testing to bring her remains back home.

Nganthoi’s Contributions

Nganthoi had been supporting her family financially for the past two years. She contributed to:

• Building their new home
• Funding her younger sister’s education

A Life Cut Short

Nganthoi had joined Air India in April 2023. She was selected for training during a recruitment drive in Manipur and became part of the cabin crew.

Living Under Conflict

The Sharma family has suffered due to the ethnic conflict. Nandesh Kumar Sharma expressed the constant fear and violence they live under.

United in Prayer

Although the Sharma family has not spoken directly to the Kuki family, they know both families are united in grief and prayer. Nandesh Kumar Sharma prayed for the peace of both girls’ souls.

Lamnunthem Singson’s Story

Members of Singson’s family have also arrived in Ahmedabad for DNA testing. Singson had been living as an internally displaced person in Kangpokpi due to the conflict.

A Great Loss

The Thadou Students’ Association mourned the deaths of the two girls, stating, “Her untimely death is a great loss to her family and the Thadou community. May their souls rest in peace.”

A Family’s Breadwinner

Singson was her family’s only breadwinner. Her brother has cancer, and her father has passed away. The family was completely dependent on her.

A Poem of Sorrow

Martin Thokchom, the owner of a bookstore in Imphal, reflected the state’s sorrow in a poem titled “Somewhere Over Gujarat.”

The internet ban lifted
I opened the news.

A crash in Gujarat
Most did not make it back.

Two names
I didn’t know,
but recognised –
one Meitei,
one Kuki.
Both in uniform.
Both from home.

They were in the sky –
no side
no flag.

Just the fall.