“She put Kangpokpi on the world map”: Town bids tearful farewell to AI crash victim Lamnunthem Singson

Kangpokpi witnessed one of its most heartbreaking farewells on Friday as Lamnunthem Singson, a young cabin crew member of Air India who perished in the recent Ahmedabad air crash, was laid to rest with full honours at the Kangpokpi Town Cemetery.

The final rites followed an emotionally charged funeral ceremony held at her residence in Ngambom Veng, Ward No. 8, where thousands of mourners—from grieving relatives and friends to civil society leaders and Kuki-Zo community members—gathered to pay their respects.

In a moving tribute, MLA Nemcha Kipgen hailed Lamnunthem as a symbol of resilience and pride:

“Though she lived a short life, Lamnunthem elevated Kangpokpi to a widely identical name on the world map through her supreme sacrifice while serving the country.”

Kipgen, overcome with emotion, offered words of comfort to the bereaved family and gently draped a traditional shawl over Lamnunthem’s coffin, a final act of honour and solidarity.

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Senior officials, including SP Kangpokpi Manoj Prabhakar and personnel from the 112 Battalion CRPF, who earlier received her remains at the airport, also paid homage by laying shawls and offering salutes—a moment that brought many in the crowd to tears.

The ceremony resonated with tributes from a cross-section of the community—Haipi Baptist Church TBAI, Haipi Village Authority, Ngambom Veng Committee, and countless others who remembered Lamnunthem not only as a dedicated professional but as a beloved daughter, a kind soul, and a passionate Manchester United fan.

The final prayers were led by Rev. Paominlen Kipgen, as Lamnunthem’s grieving mother, siblings, and friends bid her a tearful goodbye. Her passing has left a void not just in one household but across Kangpokpi, where her legacy now lives in memory and pride.

Kangpokpi mourns, remembers, and salutes one of its own—a daughter who touched the skies and brought honour to her homeland, even in her final journey.