Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Sep 27: In a major breakthrough, security forces have arrested two hardcore cadres of the banned militant outfit People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for their involvement in the deadly September 19 ambush in Manipur’s Bishnupur district that claimed the lives of two Assam Rifles personnel and left five others injured.
The arrested individuals were identified as Thongram Sadananda Singh alias Ngachik, 18, and Chongtham Mahesh, a 51-year-old senior cadre who held the rank of self-styled Lieutenant Corporal in the PLA. Mahesh had been associated with the outfit since 1990 and was nabbed from Guwahati with assistance from the Assam Crime Branch. Sadananda Singh was arrested from Imphal West district late Friday night.
Authorities confirmed these individuals were directly involved in the ambush that targeted an Assam Rifles convoy at Nambol Sabal Leikai along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway-2. The troops were returning from flood relief duties when they were attacked. Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung, 59, from Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap, 36, from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, lost their lives in the assault.
This comes after the September 24 arrest of the prime accused, Khomdram Ojit Singh alias Keilal, 47, also a member of the PLA. He was apprehended from the Kameng area in Imphal West district. A manhunt is currently underway to track down other suspects and associates linked to the attack.
Security forces have also launched widespread raids across Imphal Valley. In the past 24 hours alone, four more militants affiliated with the PLA, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) have been taken into custody from Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Imphal West.
One of the arrested PLA operatives was reportedly responsible for tracking and relaying security force movements, with a mobile phone and SIM card seized during his arrest. Meanwhile, the KYKL and KCP members are allegedly involved in extortion activities, particularly targeting contractors working on government projects like Manipur University, the Industrial Department, and educational institutions.
These arrests come amid ongoing anti-insurgency operations by central and state security forces, which have been intensifying ever since ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2024, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The prolonged conflict has left over 260 people dead and more than 70,000 displaced, with many forced into relief camps.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, four days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The 60-member state Assembly remains under suspended animation, with no clear resolution yet in sight.