Three People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cadres have been apprehended by a team of commando (CDO) unit Thoubal and 16 Assam Rifles (AR) at Wangoo Sabal Leikai in Bishnupur.
The three PLA cadres were arrested for planning to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations by allegedly planting explosive devices and targeting non-locals.
Thoubal District Police stated in a release that they received information on Sunday about the whereabouts of one Gobin from Wangoo Sabal Area of Bishnupur district involved in the recent case FIR No 39(08)KJM-PS u/s 18/20UA(P) A. Act & 6A Explosive Substances Act, related to the arrest of six PLA cadres.
The input also informed that Gobin along with the other active PLA cadres had planned to disrupt the recent Independence Day celebration by planting explosive devices, targeting non-locals in the state under the instruction of one self-styled lieutenant colonel Rishikanta alias Ranbir of the banned organisation PLA, it stated.
It further stated that upon receiving information about Gobin’s whereabouts at Wangoo Sabal Leikai area, a combined team of Commando unit Thoubal and 16 AR led by additional SP (Ops) O Wangkhomba and assisted by Commando unit Thoubal OC inspector N Sadananda under the supervision of SP Thoubal Jogeshchandra Haobijam conducted a cordon and search operation at Wangoo Sabal Leikai, it stated.
The combined team apprehended three cadres of PLA while one hand grenade was seized, it stated.
The arrested three cadres have been identified as Sanasam Gobin alias Mani Meitei, 32, son of S Manglemba Meitei from Wangoo Sabal Maning Leikai Ward no IV; Sanasam Manglemba Meitei, 56, son of late S Chini Meitei from Wangoo Sabal Maning Leikai Ward no IV; Nandeibam Jilangamba alias Bungcha, 26, son of N Biradhaja from Pourabi Awang Leikai, it informed.
The three cadres along with the seized item were handed over to Khongjom police station in c/w FIR No. 39(08)KJM-PS u/s 18/20UA(P) A.Act & 6A Explosive Substances Act, for further necessary legal action, it mentioned.
The release further stated that during enquiry, it was revealed that under the instruction of Rishikanta, Sanasam Gobin and Nandeibam Jilangamba along with one Khaidem Bishorjit alias Bobo, 36, son of Khaidem Kunjeshor from Yairipok Khoirom who was arrested earlier, were involved in the hand grenade attack targeted at non-local workers of the Sawombung Bridge Construction Worksite at Sawonbung Thongkhong on the night of August 15.
It also stated that the combined team also arrested one member of National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM) namely Leimiwo Shangh, 40, wife of Mayonpam Shangh from Shirui village of Ukhrul, from her rented accommodation at Khabeisoi 7th MR entry lane.
The arrested individual, who was collecting funds for the banned organisation, was handed over to Lamlai police station for further action, it added.
