Incidents and Statements involving United National Liberation Front: 2017

Date

Nature of incident

January 1

Khongnangmakhong bridge / Imphal East District

NS

Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh met President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the UMHA report to the EC that termed the law-and-order situation in the state as "grave". Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Singh rubbished the report saying it "wrongly" concluded that the prevailing situation was "not conducive" to conduct free-and-fair polls there. However, just ahead of Ibobi's meeting with the President, the EC declared that the Assembly election will be held in two phases - on March 4 and 8 - in Manipur. Ibobi, later, welcomed the decision. The CM said issues such as insurgency, blockades, strikes are not unique to Manipur but they affect the entire north-east and that even in 2012, the state Assembly polls were boycotted by hill and valley-based underground organisations including the PLA and the UNLF.

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.

Police arrested three militants, during a series of search operations, from different locations across the State. The arrested militants belonged to UNLF, NSCN-K and NSCN-IM. Besides the militants, 58 other suspected persons were also detained and arms were recovered during the operations. These operations were conducted in Andro Kharam Leikai and Andro Bazar area in Imphal East District, Mahakabui Namching village in Senapati District, Dharmasala in Imphal West District, Kakching town in Kakching District and its surrounding areas, Pallel in Chandel District and Tuismi Bazar areas, and Kwakta in Bishnupur District. This drive was launched in order to foil any unwanted incident ahead of the Republic Day celebration (26th January).

SFs arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as Thiyam Nungshithoi alias Lokhon alias Buno alias Saphaba Meitei (34) from Keishampat Keisham Leikai in Imphal West District. SFs said that Nungshithoi was a KYKL cadre till 2002 before he joined the UNLF together with six others in 2003.

Two AR personnel were killed and several others injured when suspected militants attacked an AR vehicle escorting tourists in Tinsukia District. Militants lobbed several grenades targeting the vehicle at Jagun 12th Mile Barabasti on NH-315 bordering the District in the run up to Republic Day, a defence spokesman said. The AR vehicle and three vehicles of tourists returning from the Pangsau festival have been damaged in grenade explosions, the spokesman added. The Pangsau Festival is held along the Indo-Myanmar border in the area.

SFs killed two unidentified militants involved in the ambush which claimed the lives of two AR troopers at 12th Mile Barabasti along NH-315 near Jagun village in Tinsukia District. Defence PRO, Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton, said that bodies of two militants had been recovered along with five IEDs, two grenades, a G3 rifle, a pistol and fired cases of nine lathode. The ambush was jointly claimed by militant conglomerates namely UNLFW and CorCom under 'Operation Barak'.

Thoubal District

Police detained two bailed out UNLF militants from different places in Thoubal District.

SFs arrested two women cadres of the UNLF militant, identified as Huidrom Chingkheinganbi Chanu (22) and Oinam Chanchan alias Jayenti alias Langlen (22) from Laipham Khunou under Heingang Police Station in Imphal West District.

In a press release, the militant group UNLF said that their 'armed wing' the MPA had observed its 30th 'raising day' in different parts of the State and at other places.

SFs arrested an UNLF cadre, identified as 'sergeant major' Thongbram Gyanjit alias Chinglensana (32) from Hatta Golapati area in Imphal West District. After the arrest he revealed that under the instruction of his 'commander' Itomba of UNLF, he came out of his camp in October last year (2016) and stayed in Imphal areas to disturb the forthcoming 11th State Assembly election.

NS

UNLF claimed responsibility for eliminating Ajay Kumar Shahu, whose lifeless body was recovered from the road connecting Langol Game Village and Lamdeng Khunou in Imphal West District on March 17. In a statement issued to the press, the outfit said that Ajay Kumar Shahu was eliminated, not because he was a non-Manipuri, but for pimping by running a pan dukan (shop) at New Checkon. Detailing, the outfit claimed that Ajay Kumar Shahu used to pimp for commercial sex workers and hence was eliminated for using women as commercial commodities.

Lokchoa area / Tengnoupal District

Two personnel of the 165th Territorial Army Battalion, identified as Arjun Baral and Vareisho Hungyo, were killed and another two sustain serious injury after suspected MPA [armed wing of UNLF] triggered an IED at Lokchoa area in Tengnoupal District. The injured personnel were identified as Toijam Chandra and Y Govind.

NS

UNLF claimed that it was their 'armed wing' MPA which attacked troops of 165 Battalion Territorial Army at Lokchao along Imphal-Moreh highway in Tegnoupal District on May 8 which killed two TA personnel. A press release issued by the outfit's 'department of publicity' 'director' M Sakhen said that the attack was a part of the UNLF's continuous liberation movement. Informing that the attack was carried out by a small team of MPA, the outfit conveyed regret for the Manipuri natives who were killed and injured in the attack.

Pishumthong / Imphal West District

Police arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as Warepam Milan alias Tayai (30), from Pishumthong area in Imphal West District.

Police arrested a militant of UNLF, identified as Moirangthem Champion Singh (21), near Moirangkhom Moreh Parking in Imphal West District.

SFs, in a search operation, arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as 'corporal' Nameirakpam Ibungo alias Torbot alias Abung Singh (33), from Nungbrang Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District.

Yaiskul Police Lane / Imphal East District

A militant of UNLF, identified as 'lieutenant' Narungbam Prameswor Singh alias Pari (42), was arrested by the Police from Yaiskul Police Lane in Imphal East District.

Yangon/ Myanmar

The 'vice chairman' of UNLF militant of Manipur, named Sir Ayekpam Wangpa alias Tomba alias Tona (61), died at a hospital in Myanmar. He died in a Yangon hospital due to kidney failure and other health issues.

Wangmataba area / Thoubal District

SF arrested one militant of UNLF, identified as 'sergeant' Konthoujam Romesh Meitei alias Thoi alias Kumbala (31), from Wangmataba area in Thoubal District.

Warukok Awang Leikai / Thoubal District

Police arrested one woman cadre of UNLF, identified as Mutum Sumila Chanu alias Ichan alias Leishembi (29), from Warukok Awang Leikai in Thoubal District.

Imphal East

SFs during cordon and search operation arrested two active cadres of UNLF identified as Konthoujam Jayenta alias Ngaiba (23) and Sagolsem Momo alias Luwangjao alias Suresh (21) from Lamlai bazaar area under Lamlai Police Station.

Militants killed a suspected rapist with two bullets to the head in Imphal West District. Themheng Ngashangba, Imphal West District Police Superintendent, said, "Suspected militants brought a blindfolded man on Friday night at Tera in Imphal and shot him dead. The deceased was identified as Irom Bobo, 43. There were two gunshot injuries in the head." The outlawed underground organisation, UNLF, has claimed responsibility for shooting Bobo. The outfit says that he had confessed to his crime.

Imphal West

An unidentified militant shot at and injured a civilian, Sandam Bhogen (37), at Sagolband Khamnam bazar under Lamphel Police Station along Imphal West district. Sandam Bhogen is out on bail regarding the alleged rape of a three and a half-year-old girl on December 3, 2013.

NS

UNLF claimed responsibility for shooting of the rape accused Sandam Bhogen at Takyel Khongbal near SAI complex in Imphal West 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.

Police arrested two active cadres of UNLF from Hatta near Orient Hotel in Imphal East District. The arrested cadres have been identified as Mohammad Yunus Khan (30) and Mutum Naobi Singh alias Mahindra (40 yrs).

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.

Imphal West

One person, identified as Sanjenbam Herojit Singh (31) was arrested by SFs for extorting money from public in the name UNLF in his locality in Haorang Khunou in Imphal West District. A case has been registered at Patsoi police station for further investigation, the press release said.