Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Security forces in Manipur apprehended four cadres of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), during coordinated anti-insurgency operations along the Manipur-Myanmar border and in Imphal East district on Monday.
In a separate operation, two sophisticated weapons along with ammunition were also recovered, police said on Tuesday.
In the first operation, central forces arrested three PLA cadres from the area between Border Pillars 77 and 79 under Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district. The arrested individuals have been identified as Wangthoi Nahakpam alias Lingjel (20) of Charangpat in Thoubal district, Nanaoba Nandeibam alias Angou (19) of Kongba in Imphal East district and Malem Oinam alias Manithoiba (20) of Nambol in Bishnupur district.
In a second operation, another active cadre of the RPF/PLA, identified as Chinglen Athokpam alias Ibungo (30) of Pungdongbam Mayai Leikai under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district, was arrested.
In a third operation, security personnel recovered a cache of arms from the foothill areas between Lamdeng and Kameng villages under Lamsang police station in Imphal West district. The recovered items include three bolt-action single-barrel guns, one .22 pistol, four 9mm pistols and multiple magazines for .22 and 9mm firearms.
All arrested individuals and seized materials have been handed over to the respective police stations for further legal action.
The PLA in Manipur was founded on September 25, 1978, by N. Bisheshwar Singh, drawing inspiration from China’s People’s Liberation Army with the objective of establishing an independent socialist Manipur. Early members of the group reportedly received training in China.