Manipur unites in grief, across the ethnic divide

Manipur unites in grief after Flight AI-171 crash, mourning loss of crew members from Meitei and Thadou communities.

GUWAHATI:

Divided by ethnic strife for more than two years, Manipur has united in grief in the wake of the June 12 crash of Flight AI-171.

Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups, yearning for peace, have mourned the deaths of both 20-year-old Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma, who is part of the Meitei community, and 26-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, a member of the tribal Thadou community, in equal measure.

The pair were among the 10 cabin crew members of Air India’s London-bound flight, which crashed seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad.

“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. May their souls rest in peace and may their loved ones find the strength to get through this unimaginable pain,” former Manipur Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh, posted on X.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, which has been seeking a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people since the ethnic conflict with the non-tribal Meiteis broke out in May 2023, said it was pained by the crash that killed 241 people on board, including the two crew members from Manipur.

The tribal Thadou Students Association issued a statement with the photos of both Ms. Sharma and Ms. Singson to “express heartfelt condolences to both bereaved families” while assuring necessary assistance to them during this difficult time.