Imphal: Police on Sunday claimed to have foiled undergrounds’ plans to disturb Independence Day celebration by exploding explosives with the arrest of seven cadres of the People Liberation Army (PLA). Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the cadres, the police further claimed.
The arrested cadres, according to the police, have been identified as Chingakham Basanta Singh alias Khabaton (38) of Andro Khuman Nungyumbi, Moirangthem Jitesh (22) of Kakching Nongthou Leikai, Konjengbam Romeo (28) of Moirang Kanjengbam Maning Leikai presently staying at Awang Sekmai Koujengleima, Phanjoubam Rabi @ Luwangamba (26) of Andro Labaojam Ching Leikai, Salam Mangijao (55) Kakching Wairi, Naorem Manoj (23) of Luker Mayai Leikai and Samurailatpam Akash @ Muston Sharma (19) Kakching Wairi.
One Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol with magazine, a Beretta 9 mm pistol with magazine, 35 live rounds of 9 mm ammunition and two hand grenades were recovered from their possessions, the police said.
A combined force of 16 Assam Rifles and police commandos in Thoubal district arrested the seven cadres of the PLA, the armed wing of Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) during an operation at Yairipok Bazar of Thoubal district on Saturday, the police also said.
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The operation was launched based on a reliable input from the 4 Assam Rifles that some cadres of the banned PLA outfit under the instructions of one self-styled Lt Colonel of the PLA Rishikanta, were planning to plant explosive devices at various government installations and target security forces in Thoubal district and other districts of the state on the eve of the Independence Day, Thoubal superintendent of police, Dr S Jogeshchandra said.
He said that on receiving the reliable input, teams of Thoubal district police commandos and a column of 16 Assam Rifles rushed towards Yairipok Bazar and conducted a cordon and search operation to trace the location of the explosive devices.
They also conducted a day-long operation at various locations in Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching districts, leading to the arrest of the seven PLA cadres, he further said.
The arrest of PLA cadres came at a time when security measures have been enhanced across Manipur ahead of Independence Day celebration to thwart any kind of disruptive activities which are likely to be carried out by the rebels.
As a part of the security measures, police commandos have been conducting search operations at various sensitive areas of the state, particularly in valley areas.
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