From Manipur UNLF and PLA freedom-fighters arrested

Imphal: Assam Rifles and police forces arrested two staunch freedom-fighters of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and a rebel from the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Manipur on Tuesday in a joint operation.

The freedom-fighters were nabbed from various hideouts in the southern part of Manipur, an official said.
The official said that three mobile handsets and some incriminating documents were recovered from them.

The PLA operatives have been identified as 35-year-old Keisham Kenedy Meitei, from Utlou village in Bishnupur district and 43-year-old Hijam Ibochouba from Athokpam village, Thoubal district of Manipur around 10 am on Tuesday. He was arrested from a hideout in Kumbi village of Bishnupur district. , the official added.
Acting on specific inputs, a joint team of police commandos of Bishnupur district and troops of 9 Assam Rifles Kangbai Battalion launched an operation and arrested the two, the official said.

After questioning him, it was revealed that Keishan Kennedy Meitei joined the organization in 2009 through a Kubir resident of Loitang Khunou village in Imphal West district.
He holds the rank of self-proclaimed second lieutenant of the PLA.

Barber Ibochouba Meitei has been associated with the PLA since 2002 through an Ibotomba from Kakching Khounou village in Kakching District.
He is the self-proclaimed captain of the PLA. Both of them underwent basic military training in Myanmar, the official added.

The UNLF freedom-fighter, identified as Koijam Sundar Meitei (26), was arrested by Manipur Police commandos from Laxmi Bazar in Imphal West district.

The official said that three mobile handsets and some incriminating documents were recovered from their possession.