Incidents and Statements involving People’s Liberation Army: 2017

Date

Nature of incident

January 4

NS

The ADGP, L R Bishnoi, said that Chinese intelligence agencies had been helping various insurgent groups of North Eastern India having bases in Myanmar. L R Bishnoi also claimed that the chief of ULFA-I, Paresh Barua had currently set up base in Ruili, a Chinese town in the Myanmar border. He said that Paresh Barua had drawn up plans to supply arms procured from Chinese agencies to smaller armed groups of the North-eastern region. "Chinese intelligences have been helping, directly or indirectly various insurgent groups of the North-eastern region that have their bases and hideouts inside Myanmar. These groups are under increasing influence of the Chinese agencies, and ULFA-I leader Paresh Barua is among those top leaders who have been in regular touch with the Chinese liaison office in Ruili on the China-Myanmar border," ADGP LR Bishnoi said.

Giving a break-up of the cadre strength of different North-eastern rebel groups in Myanmar, ADGP Bishnoi also said that while the NSCN-K had over 1,000 cadres there, PLA- a Manipuri group came second with over 250 men. "Taking into account at least ten North-eastern rebel groups having their bases and hideouts in Myanmar, there should be close to 2,500 militants from the region in that country. Of them NSCN-K alone has a little over 1,000 men, followed by around 260 of the PLA, 230 of the UNLF and a little over 200 of the ULFA-I," Bishnoi said. According to him, the strength of the NSCN-IM there would be between 80 and 120, NDFB-IKS about 160, KYKL, PREPAK and PREPAK-Pro around 10 each. "Two things that have been happening there is that while the rebel groups of the region work in close coordination, they get almost 100 per cent support from the local communities close to the Indo-Myanmar who belong to various Naga tribes. These villagers not only provide them food and shelter, but also guide them through the mountainous track," Bishnoi said.

Wangkhei Thangjam Leikai and Palace Compound Thangapat Mapal / Imphal East District

SFs arrested two PLA militants, identified as Angom Arunkumar alias Chinglen (62) and Khundrakpam Suresh alias Mocha (47) from Wangkhei Thangjam Leikai and Palace Compound Thangapat Mapal respectively in Imphal East District in two separate incidents. Three mobiles phones were recovered from them. SFs sources said that they were involved in several extortion cases.

Thoubal District

Police detained four bailed out PLA militants from different places in Thoubal District

Kaiphundai village / Tamenglong District

SFs arrested one PLA militant, identified as Kh Kiran (25) from Kaiphundai village in Tamenglong District.

One PLA/ RPF militant, identified as Naorem Indrakumar Meitei (36) arrested by SFs at Thanga Ngaram Machin in Bishnupur District.

One militant of PLA, identified as Yumnam Surendra alias Suren (64), was arrested by SFs from the resident of the militant in Imphal West District. The militant revealed that he was working under the 'captain' Nongpoknganba of PLA and extorted money from contractors and businessmen for the militant group.

Police arrested two PLA militants, identified as Mohammad Nawaz Khan and Khulakpam Farooque, from Kairam Palli of Keirao Litan Makhong near Trio English School in Imphal East District. Police recovered one .9 mm pistol along with five rounds in the magazine, a Bolero car and incriminating articles from the arrestees.

The BSF has informed the BGB that seven militant outfits from the Northeast have set up as many as 20 camps in Bangladesh. Sources in the BSF said the NLFT has 10 camps, HNLC from Meghalaya's Khasi hills has three camps, ULFA-I and MPLA have two camps each while GNLA of Meghalaya, PREPAK and KYKL, both from Manipur, have a camp each.

The RPF, political wing of PLA, observed its 38th foundation day. A press release issued by the 'publicity secretary' of the organisation stated that the foundation day was observed at the party's 'General Headquarters', 'council headquarters', 'central bureau' and its various divisions, SR-1, SR-2, SR-3, SR-4, PLA general headquarters, 'tactical command', 'strategic command', '252 mobile battalion' and other PLA units, 'departments', 'stations' where the party's flag was unfurled.

Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai under Imphal Police Station / Imphal West District

Imphal West District Police Commando arrested one 'active worker' of PLA from Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West District. He also revealed that he was instructed to extort money from Government offices including Electricity Department, NIT, MANIDCO, Cooperative, Registrar, Science and Technology etc.

Kangu Chingjin area / Imphal East District

SFs, during a cordon and search operation, arrested RPF/PLA militants from around Kangu Chingjin area under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District. The arrested militants were identified as Mutum Dolen alias Melei and Laitonjam Dinesh. They revealed that they were working under the command of 'finance secretary' of Imphal East RPF/PLA named Sanatomba.

NS

RPF claimed that Nongmaithem Leisemba alias Chitesor, Meisnam Inaobi and his brother Meisnam Inaocha of Kwakeithel Nganappithong who were arrested by Imphal West Police commandos on April 8, have no connection with the organisation.

NS

A Supreme Court lawyer appearing for a 21-year-old man who was allegedly murdered by Manipur CM N. Biren Singh's son has written a letter to the Union home secretary alleging that he received a message from militant groups asking him to drop the case. In March 2011, Biren Singh's son, N. Ajay, was accused of shooting Irom Roger after an altercation on Holi festival near Imphal's Tulihal airport. The lawyer alleged that he was threatened by a person who claimed to be connected with PLA and NSCN-IM.

Bongjang / Tengnoupal District

Three AR personnel were injured in a bomb attack at Bongjang near Manipur's border township of Moreh in Tengnoupal District. The incident happened as a powerful bomb suspected to be an IED exploded when a team of AR personnel on ROP, passed an area along the Imphal-Moreh road, about 95 kilometers from Imphal around 2.15 pm (June 3). The injured personnel identified as Subedar Sher Ram, Riflemen Sachin and Basumatary.

NS

In a statement issued to the press, the RPF militant claimed the responsibility for the bomb attack at a place in between H Mongjang and S Khudengthabi of Tengnoupal District in which three AR personnel were injured on May 3.

Thongju / Imphal East District

SFs arrested an 'over ground worker' of the PLA militant, identified as Koijam Warji (47), at Thongju area in Imphal East District.

An AR Havildar, identified as Luhit Gogoi, was killed while four others sustained injury in IED bomb attack by unidentified militants in Kamjong District bordering Myanmar.

The RPF militant claimed its hands in the Kasung attack against 17 AR on June 15 as well as against 12 AR at Khudengthabi on June 3 and said that its 'armed wing' PLA carried out the attacks.

Lambui village / Ukhrul District

One AR trooper, identified as Biju Surupawal (30), was killed and two others were injured in an IED blast at a check post at Lambui village on the Imphal-Ukhrul road in Ukhrul District. The injured troopers were identified as Yash Pal (37) and Niran Ranjan (35).

NS

In a joint statement, the PLA/ RPF and MNPF claimed the responsibility of the IED attack that killed a jawan (trooper) of the AR and injured to two others on June 30 near Lambui village of Ukhrul District.

Khudengthabi / Tengnoupal District

Four militants of RPF/PLA, identified as L Jiteshwor (51), Asem Brojendro (49), Konthoujam Indramani (47) and Mayangbam Gopal (55), were arrested by SFs in an area near Khudengthabi in Tengnoupal District.

Imphal

Altogether 68 militants of six different militant groups laid down arms before the Government at a ceremony held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall. The militants who laid down arms today included 17 of UNLF, 23 of KCP, seven PLA, 10 of PREPAK, four of KYKL and seven of PREPAK-PRO .However, only seven/eight weapons reportedly brought by the militants were displayed at the ceremony saying that other weapons were being verified by Police .Speaking at the home coming ceremony, Chief Minister N Biren assured that all the militants who have joined the mainstream would be fully protected .

NS

The CorCom, an umbrella body of four militant groups of Manipur, claimed that the 68 militants, who surrendered before Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on August 14, were all 'deserters' and would be punished. Altogether 68 militants of six different militant groups laid down arms before the Government at a ceremony held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall.

Suspected militants of the NSCN-IM attacked a combined team of the banned terror outfit PLA and the MNPF at Makan village in Kamjong District near Border Pillar No, 8 along the Indo-Myanmar border. NSCN-IM cadres killed five militants of the rival groups, identified as PLA 'sergeant major' Richard aka Wareppam Dinesh, PLA 'sergeant' Lalloi aka Khundrakpam Sunil, PLA 'private' Nanao aka Moirangthem Tomba, PLA 'private' Sinthouba aka Konjengbam Shyamsundar and MNPF cadre Raikham Jajo aka Nimai Jazo. The NSCN-IM militants took away the weapons of their slain rivals.

Imphal West

SFs arrested a militant belonging to PLA, 'corporal' Sorokhaibam Bedarjit Singh alias Ibungotomba alias Momosana (28), from Lilong Chajing area in Imphal West District.

Manipur

Normal life in the State was severely hit during the total shut down called by various militants groups of the region against the 'annexation' of Manipur to the Indian Union. CoRCom a conglomerate of RPF, UNLF, PREPAK and PREPAK-Pro observed as 'National Black day' and called total shut down from midnight October 14-October 15.

Chandel

Two AR troopers died and six were injured in a powerful IED explosion at Maha Mani village in Chandel District. Two AR personnel, identified as riflemen Indra Singh and Sohan Lal, died on the spot. The six injured, identified as S. Sekhar, N. Shyamkumar, Tirendra Nath Das, Ram Govind Singh, Nirmal Roy and Lalnunpuia, were evacuated to the Army Hospital at Leimakhong, on the Imphal city's outskirts, by helicopter. RPF, the 'political wing' of PLA has claimed responsibility for the attack. Source said that condition of one among the six injured is critical.

Chandel

AR trooper and at least two militants were killed in an ambush by the PLA militants near Chamol village, about three Kilometer from the Police Outpost at Sajik Tampak, in Chandel district, along the Indo-Myanmar. The Assam Rifles trooper identified as Jay Prakash Araon (33). The militant killed was identified as 'sergeant' Loko alias Themreiyo. One AR trooper and three militants were also wounded in the incident.

Imphal west

Imphal police arrested four PLA cadres, two of them women, from their residences in Imphal West District. The arrested were identified as Naorem Bhume Singh (44), of Naorem Leikai, Konsam Joykumar Singh, (47), from Thongju Part II, Naorem Ongbi Premila Devi, (37), of Kha Naorem Leikai and Huidrom Ongbi Jiballata Devi, (54), of Thongju Pechu Lampak. Bhume and Joykumar were active members of the banned organisation while the two women were overground workers who helped Bhume and Joykumar. Police recovered one AK-56 rifle, five magazines, 15 AK-57 ammunition, one lethod gun, 10 lethod shells, and a .9mm pistol with magazine from the arrested persons.

An OGW of PLA identified as Athokpam Indrajit Singh alias Rajen was arrested from Haoreibi village in Imphal West. Further on disclosure of the arrestee, the Police arrested another OGW identified as Salam Jiban Meitei alias Loken from an undisclosed area. It was also revealed that both the OGWs were involved in extortion.