COCOMI, TSA call for dignified return of mortal remains
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 16 2025:
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has issued an appeal for public cooperation in receiving the mortal remains of two young state women who tragically lost their lives in the Air India Flight AI 171 crash on June 12 even as the Thadou Students' Association (TSA) urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to treat the loss of the duo as a special case and ensure their mortal remains are brought home with honour and dignity.
Cabin crew members Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma of Thoubal and Lamnunthem Singson of Old Lambulane (presently based in Kangpokpi), were on board the ill-fated flight, bound for London Gatwick, which crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad.
"The entire state of Manipur has united in mourning their untimely loss.
Since the tragic news broke, people across the state, especially the youth, have paid tribute through candlelight vigils, prayers, and messages of solidarity, offering comfort and strength to the bereaved families.
According to family sources, the mortal remains of the two victims are currently undergoing DNA identification for confirmation, which is expected to take approximately 72 hours.
Once the process is complete, the remains will be brought back to their home state of Manipur in the coming days," COCOMI said in a press release issued on Monday.
In anticipation of their arrival, COCOMI has urged civil society organisations, local clubs, youth groups, and the wider public to extend full cooperation and support in receiving the mortal remains at Imphal Airport.
The organisation emphasised the importance of ensuring a dignified return and final farewell for the two women.
Furthermore, COCOMI has called upon the state government and relevant authorities to facilitate all necessary logistical arrangements for the smooth transfer of the bodies to their respective hometowns.
Families willing to receive their daughters at the airport have been encouraged to come forward, with the assurance of assistance and coordination from COCOMI.
In a heartfelt message, COCOMI concluded: "Let us come together as a community to honour their return and pray for their souls to rest in peace.
May Manipur welcome home her daughters with love and pride".
The Thadou Students' Association (TSA), meanwhile, has urged Governor Bhalla to treat the loss of two young women from the state in the Air India Flight AI 171 crash as a special case and ensure their mortal remains are brought home with honour and dignity.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor on Sunday, TSA expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of the Ahmedabad-London Gatwick flight on June 12, which resulted in the loss of many precious lives, including Lamnunthem Singson of the Thadou tribe and Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma of the Meetei community.
TSA stated that the incident had shocked not only the country but the entire world, and added that the people of Manipur are united in grief over the heart-breaking tragedy.
TSA highlighted that Lamnunthem was an internally displaced person (IDP) residing with her family at Kangpokpi district headquarters after fleeing Imphal due to the ongoing ethnic crisis.
She joined Air India as cabin crew in 2024 and was the sole bread earner of her family.
The student body said that these "extraordinary and painful circumstances demand a compassionate and prompt response from the Government of Manipur".
TSA urged the Governor to depute senior government officials to coordinate with the authorities concerned in Ahmedabad for the smooth identification and retrieval of the mortal remains of both victims.
It further requested that the remains be brought home with full dignity and honour as a goodwill gesture to foster trust in the government among the citizens of the state.
Meanwhile, the government in a press note issued on Monday expressed profound sorrow over the untimely and tragic demise of the two "brave Manipuri daughters".
It stated that both young women had dedicated themselves to service in the skies and were "symbols of aspiration, courage and grace" .
"Their sudden passing has not only plunged their families and loved ones into grief but has also sent a wave of mourning across the entire state," the press note read.
The state government conveyed to both Tata Group and Air India that it is fully prepared to receive the mortal remains of the two crew members at Imphal.
Necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that the remains are treated with the highest dignity and respect and are transported safely to their respective homes.
However, the government said that the final decision regarding the mode of reception, ceremonies, and other arrangements would be respectfully left to the bereaved families, and assured that the state is committed to providing all necessary support as per their wishes.
"This is not just the loss of two lives; it is the silencing of dreams, the departure of daughters who brought pride to Manipur, and the extinguishing of two bright lights that once soared amongst the clouds," the government stated.
"Their service and spirit will be remembered with honour and reverence" .
The state joins the families in mourning and prays for the souls of the two young women to rest in eternal peace, it said.
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