Five more cadres of the proscribed Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) allegedly planning to disrupt Independence Day celebrations by planting explosive devices and targeting non-Manipuris were apprehended by teams of Commando Thoubal and 16 Assam Rifles. Four hand grenades were also seized from their possession.
According to police, they received information around 8:15 am on Tuesday from 16 AR that under the instructions of one self-styled lieutenant colonel Rishikanta alias Ranbir of the PLA, some of its cadres planned to disrupt the Independence Day Celebrations by planting explosive devices and targeting non-local people in various valley districts of Manipur, and arms and explosives had been transported from Moreh to one person at Tentha area.
Following it, teams of Commando Thoubal led by additional SP (Ops) O Wangkhomba assisted by inspector N Sadananda and personnel of 16 AR under the overall supervision of SP-Thoubal Jogeshchandra Haobijam conducted a cordon and search operation at Tentha Tuwaband Leikai.
During the operation, five cadres of the PLA were apprehended and four hand grenades were seized from their posession, police said.
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The apprehended persons have been identified as one Keidongbam Subol alias Khomei, 43, son of (L) Keidongbam Biradhon of Wangbal Mayai Leikai; Paonam Manikanta Singh alias Amuyaima, 32, son of P Arun Singh of Jirighat Lakhinagar, presently residing at Tentha Tuwaband Leikai; Thambalmani, 46, wife of Md Tomba of Yairipok Singa Ethei Mapal.
In a follow up action, two more cadres of the PLA, namely Sougaijam Ronan, 32, son of Sougaijam Sanayaima of Kakching Wairi Kamala Pareng and Naorem Britain, 27, son of Naorem Rajendro of Kakching Khunyai Leikai were further apprehended by teams of Commando Thoubal and a column of 16 AR on the input of Field G Team BSF Koirengei.
Further, during enquiry, it was revealed that under the instructions of the same Rishikanta of the PLA, they have been targeting non-Manipuri people in all the valley districts, police said.
They along with other PLA cadres apprehended by the same combined team of Commando Thoubal and 16 AR earlier on Saturday are involved in the following recent IED blasts in May 2022, it added.
On Saturday (August 13), seven PLA cadres allegedly planning to plant explosive devices at various government installations and target security forces in Thoubal district and other districts of Manipur were apprehended by teams of Commando Thoubal and 16 Assam Rifles.
Later, the apprehended persons and seized items were handed over to Khongjom Police Station and after observing due formalities, a case has been registered for further investigation.
Miscreants attack non-local labourers with hand grenade
Meanwhile, miscreants lobbed a Chinese made hand grenade at a makeshift shelter where non-Manipuri labourers were residing at Sawombung under Lamlai Police Station under Imphal East around 1 am on Tuesday.
The grenade failed to explode and there were no casualties during the incident. As many as 18 labourers were residing at the shelter and they were hired for constructing a bridge at Sawombung.
A team of Manipur police bomb disposal squad picked the bomb and it was safely exploded around 4.5 pm at Napetpali Echam Pukhri Mapal on Tuesday.
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