Incidents and Statements involving People’s Liberation Army: 2016

Date

Nature of incident

January 7

Dewlahland / Imphal West District

Ukhrul District

Two different militant outfit in Manipur claimed the responsibility of two separate IED blasts that occurred on February 14. Whereas the proscribed RPF claimed its hand in the bomb blast which targeted troops of 41 AR at Hundung junction near KBS oil pump in Ukhrul District, the militant outfit MNPF claimed responsibility for the bomb blast which targeted another team of 41 AR on the way from Litan to Hungphung.

According to a press release issued by RPF 'department of publicity chief' Bangkim, the bomb attack at Hundung junction was carried out by a special warfare team of the PLA. A press release issued by MNPF 'assistant publicity secretary' said that they would continue their struggle for the Naga people until the sovereignty of Manipur is restored.

AR troops along with Police launched operations in Kharashom and Khurai areas of Imphal East District in Manipur and arrested two active cadres of the PLA.

Heirok Champrathong / Thoubal District

Based on a reliable information about the movement of valley based underground elements in the general areas of Heirok Champrathong, a team of Thoubal District Police commando conducted frisking and checking and arrested one Self-Styled 'Sergeant Major' of the PLA, identified as Ningthoujam Ranjit Meitei alias Lemba (40) of Heirok Part- III Ngarouthel Khuman of Manipur.

Manipur

DGAR, Lieutenant General Harminderjit Singh Sachdev said that India and Myanmar have started joint border patrolling in some stretches of the "unfenced border" between both the countries. "In some places (joint border patrolling) it has started but not fully. The patrolling has not started all over, but in some specific areas. They (Myanmarese Army) also come and we also go there (Myanmar)," Sachdev said on the sidelines of investiture ceremony of the Assam Rifles. India has been urging Myanmar to take action against the rebels which include Manipur-based UNLF, PLA, KYKL, PREPAK; Assam-based ULFA and the NSCN-K operating from Sagaing division and the Chin State of Myanmar.

Imphal West District

Based on reliable information about the presence of cadres of PLA/RPF organisation in and around North AOC area, a team of Imphal West District Police detained one person who was seen moving in a suspicious manner in front of Tampha Hotel. During the verification, he identified himself as Yengkhom Bhogen Singh (45) of Lilong Chajing Awang Leikai and revealed that he is a cadre of PLA/RPF, working under the command of self-styled 'captain' Emos. According to his revelation, another active member of PLA/RPF namely Hanjabam Shamungou Sharma (43) of Kyamgei Mayai Leikai was arrested from his residence and on his disclosure, one pistol along with magazine and four live rounds of 9mm ammunition was recovered. Investigation revealed that both of them had extorted huge amounts of money from the government officials, businessmen, transport agencies and travel agencies in North AOC area.

Mantripukhri / Imphal

Right after the surrender of three cadres of the underground PLA to security officials, six more militants from different outfits lay down their arms before the DGP of Manipur, Y Joykumar and IGAR-S Major General CA Krishnan today at IGAR-S Mantripukhri. Those who surrendered included three cadres from the PLA, two from the KCP and one from the UPPK, a signatory of the MoU with the GoI and Manipur since 2013. The cadres were identified as Huidrom Awangamba (23) of Sandangkhong Sugnu in Thoubal District, who was a cadre of the PLA since 2007 and surrendered along with one 9 mm gun, magazine and four live rounds. His army number was 2935 and he belonged to the 35th batch of the PLA who trained in Burma; Laishram Priyobrata alias Meino Meitei (32) of Chairel Khongnang Leikai Sugnu in Thoubal District, whose army no. was 2287 of the PLA. He surrendered with one 9 mm pistol with magazine and two live rounds; and 'lieutenant corporal' Haobijam Gyaneshore Meitei alias Sanahan alias Lamyanba (19) of Napet Sugnu in Bishnupur District of PLA outfit army no. 2905. The cadres of the KCP are Private Heigrujam Ngongo Meitei alias Tondonba (20) of Sugnu Napet in Bishnupur District, KCP 163 Bn. Batch no.16 who trained in Burma; Private Ningthoujam Dolen Singh alias Chinglen (21) of Napet Mayai Lambi Sugnu in Bishnupur District, army no. 2040 of KCP who is trained in Burma. The UPPK cadre was identified as RK Naochouba alias Indrajit (27) of Chajing Narang Konjin in Wangoi in Imphal West District, UPPK Batch no. 22, who surrendered with one AK 47 and magazine and 20 live rounds of ammunition.

A militant belonging to outlawed PLA was arrested in Khabak-khong near Wangjing in Thoubal District by a combined team of Police commandos and AR troops. Earlier, he was arrested by Police in 2010 while he was a cadre of KCP but was bailed out and joined PLA recently. Some incriminating documents along with a mobile handset used by him were recovered from his possession.

The AR arrested three overground workers of PLA from Nampisha in Ukhrul District, and seized explosives they were carrying to Imphal. "A thorough search of the vehicle led to recovery of two IEDs weighing approximately 8.76 kilogrammes, two detonators and other incriminating articles," Police said. The arrested workers along with the recovered explosives have been handed over to Litan Police Station.

Chandel District

At least five SF personnel of Para Special Force deployed along the Manipur-Myanmar border sustained injuries when militants ambushed a patrol party at Sajik Tampak area in Chandel District. According to the sources, the soldiers were patrolling in the interior areas of Chandel District located along the IB when one remote controlled bomb detonated. The militants also opened fire from automatic rifles while the soldiers retaliated. Later the militants are believed to have escaped across the border. Reinforcements have been rushed for launching combing operations in the area. The UNLFW, an umbrella grouping of several militant outfits in the northeast, claimed responsibility for the attack. A statement issued by ULFA-I claimed the responsibility. "A group of PLA attacked the 21 Para Regiment of Indian Army between Aisi and Khunmulen near Sajik Tampak in Chandel District on Saturday (November 26) morning. Five or more Indian soldiers are seriously injured," it said.

The 'publicity secretary' Roben Khuman of RPF, in a press release prohibited the former member of the party and its armed wing PLA from contesting any election held under the Constitution of India.