Imphal: Security forces have arrested a self-styled captain of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in connection with the November 2021 ambush in Manipur that killed an Assam Rifles commanding officer, his wife, their son and four other personnel, police said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as 28-year-old Thiyam Boycha Singh alias Balin, was arrested from a hideout in the Lilong Ushoipokpi area of Thoubal district on Saturday following intelligence inputs.
Singh, a resident of Bishnupur Ward No. 8, was listed as Accused No. 3 in the case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and had been declared an absconder, according to the police.
A joint team of Thoubal District Police Commandos and personnel of the 11 Assam Rifles carried out the operation.
Police said preliminary interrogation indicated that Singh was an active member of the insurgent group that carried out the ambush.
The attack took place on November 13, 2021, near Sehken village, close to Behiang in Churachandpur district. The militants targeted the convoy of Colonel Viplav Tripathi, then the commanding officer of the 46 Assam Rifles.
Colonel Tripathi, his wife and their young son were killed in the attack along with four Assam Rifles personnel.
The Army’s Eastern Command also confirmed Singh’s arrest in a social media post and identified him as a primary conspirator in the attack.
Authorities said Singh was being questioned to establish the role of other individuals linked to the case. He is expected to be produced before a special NIA court.