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People?s Liberation Army
Formed under the leadership of Bisheswar Singh, this is one of the most active outfits in Manipur. It is basically a Meiti outfit.
Formed under the leadership of N Bisheswar Singh on September 25, 1978, this is one of the most active outfits in Manipur. It is basically a Meiti outfit.
Objectives
To liberate Manipur by organising a revolutionary front covering entire Northeast and unite all ethnic groups, including the Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis. Although a Meiti outfit, PLA claims to be a trans-tribal organisation seeking to lead the non-Meiteis as well.
Leadership and Structure
In 1989, the PLA formed a political body called Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), which runs a government-in-exile from Bangladesh. It's president is Irengbam Chaoren.
As part of its revitalisation efforts, the PLA was reorganised on the lines of a disciplined army. The militant wing now comprises four divisions – Sadar Hill West areas of the Valley of Manipur, Sadar Hill areas in the eastern Valley, the entire hill areas in Manipur and the entire Imphal area. Each division has a commander, lieutenants, sergeant and lance corporals in its ranks. PLA activists are equipped with sophisticated arms. The group has also been reportedly involved in widespread extortion operations.
Links
PLA recruits were trained in guerrilla warfare by the then united National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) at its headquarters in Challam, beyond the Somrah Tract, in north Myanmar during the eighties. PLA is also reported to have contacts with Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).
It has a government-in-exile in Bangladesh. As per intelligence reports it has set up a number of bases in Sylhet district. It runs two camps in Myanmar and five in Bangladesh where about 1,000 recruits have received arms training.
Incidents involving PLA
2003
June 14: 'Central committee' chief of PLA identified as Khomdram Lalaba alias Jayentakumar is killed during an encounter with the Manipur Police at Nandeibam Uku, under Singjamei police station limits in Imphal East district.
April 13: Proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), political wing of the PLA, observes 'martyrs' day' and urges the general public to pay 'homage' to its slain cadres at the memorial in Cheiraoching, Manipur.
February 20: Army personnel operating in Jiribam subdivision, Manipur, destroy a terrorist hideout jointly used by PLA and the Kuki National Front (KNF) in Sonapur area of Imphal East district.
2002
April 23: Two terrorists of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) are caught by residents of Uripok Lamboikhongnangkong village for extortion and repeated theft of vehicles.
April 22: Two terrorists and three civilians are killed following clashes between the PLA and the Border Security Force (BSF) between Sugnu and Sangaikot.
April 10: PLA claims responsibility for killing four security force personnel at Pangei, on April 9 and for the April 2-killing of a security force personnel.
