KKN Gurugram Desk | A tragic incident involving an Air India flight has claimed the lives of 270 individuals, including crew members and passengers. Among the deceased was Lamunuthim Singson, a 25-year-old air hostess from Manipur, whose body has now been identified through DNA profiling. The identification process has been a painstaking task, as many bodies were severely damaged in the crash. Following the identification, Singson’s remains will be handed over to her family for final rites. This tragic event, which occurred on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad, has left multiple families devastated, and they are now awaiting closure.

The Tragic Crash: Air India Flight AI-171

Lamunuthim Singson was a part of the crew on Air India flight AI-171, which was scheduled to travel from Ahmedabad to London. Shortly after takeoff, the flight crashed into a medical college hostel, killing all but one of the 242 people on board. The crash also claimed the lives of 29 individuals on the ground, making it one of the most devastating aviation disasters in recent history. The sole survivor of the crash remains in critical condition.

Singson, a member of the Kuki-Jo community from Manipur, had boarded the flight with high hopes for her journey. Tragically, her life was cut short in this horrific accident, and her family is now grappling with the pain of losing their loved one.

Lamunuthim Singson’s Remains to Be Handed Over

According to authorities, the DNA profiling process to identify Singson’s remains has now been completed. Her body will be handed over to her family today. As per the Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO) Kangpokpi, Singson’s remains will be flown from Dimapur Airport in Nagaland to Manipur for the final rites. The decision to bring the body via Nagaland instead of Imphal was taken for security reasons. The family had expressed their preference for the body to be transported through Dimapur due to ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Jo communities, which have seen violent clashes in the state.

At 1:30 PM today, the family and representatives from KSO will receive Singson’s remains at Dimapur Airport, from where it will be taken by road to Kangpokpi.

Ethnic Tensions Affecting the Body’s Transportation

Singson’s family had originally resided in New Lambulene, Imphal, but due to the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Jo communities that erupted in May 2023, they had relocated to Kangpokpi, a hilly district. The ongoing ethnic tensions and militia presence in various regions of Manipur have made it challenging for families to navigate the volatile situation. Local militias have taken on security responsibilities in the affected areas, while central forces remain primarily engaged in buffer zones.

Despite the Manipur state government’s offer of security convoys to bring the body to Imphal Airport, Singson’s family insisted on taking the route through Dimapur, prioritizing safety concerns over convenience. The family’s decision reflects the deepening security concerns in the region.

DNA Profiling: Identification of the Victims

As of Thursday, 211 victims of the Air India crash have been identified through DNA matching, according to officials from the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. The tragic crash left the victims’ bodies in a condition so damaged that visual identification was impossible. The DNA profiling process has been crucial for the authorities to establish the identities of the victims and provide closure to their grieving families.

Dr. Rakesh Joshi, the Medical Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, shared that, by Thursday morning, 211 DNA samples had been matched, and 189 bodies had been handed over to their respective families. The bodies delivered to the families included those of 142 Indian nationals, 32 British citizens, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The victims who perished on the ground, including seven individuals, have also had their remains returned to their families.

Family of Nganthoi K. Sharma Still Awaiting Confirmation

While Singson’s family has received closure with the identification of her body, another victim’s family is still waiting for the results. Nganthoi K. Sharma, a fellow crew member from Manipur, was also on the ill-fated flight. Her family has yet to receive confirmation of her identity through DNA profiling. Nganthoi’s sister, Geetanjali, appealed to the authorities to expedite the identification process so that the family can finally lay their loved one to rest. “We request the hospital administration and authorities to speed up the process. Our family is waiting for our loved one’s body,” Geetanjali said.

Nganthoi was a member of the Meitei community, while Lamunuthim Singson belonged to the Kuki-Jo community. The ethnic backgrounds of the two crew members highlight the diversity in the Manipur region, where communities of various backgrounds are affected by the ongoing conflict.

The Road Ahead for the Families

The tragic Air India crash continues to cast a long shadow over the families of the victims. As DNA identification continues and the process of handing over the remains progresses, the families of those lost are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. The emotional toll of waiting for the return of bodies, particularly in such a devastating and traumatic manner, is profound.

Government officials have pledged to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families and ensure that justice is served in the aftermath of this tragedy. The loss of Lamunuthim Singson and other passengers is a reminder of the vulnerability of human life in such catastrophic events.

The ongoing DNA identification process is providing some solace to the families of the Air India crash victims, but the emotional and psychological toll remains heavy. The families are demanding justice for their loved ones and calling for better safety protocols to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. The airline and aviation authorities will likely face scrutiny in the coming weeks as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.

For now, the families are focusing on grieving their losses and finding closure, while also navigating the challenges posed by ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur. The tragedy has highlighted the need for a unified response in the region, where communities come together to support one another during times of unimaginable loss.

As Lamunuthim Singson’s family prepares to receive her body and bid her final farewell, they, along with the other victims’ families, continue to seek justice, peace, and healing from this heartbreaking tragedy.