Security forces have arrested two members of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for their alleged involvement in the September 19 ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, which claimed the lives of two jawans and left five others injured.
According to a police statement, the militants were identified as Thongram Sadananda Singh alias Ngachik alias Purakpa (18) and self-styled Lt. Corporal Chongtham Mahesh alias Momo alias Amo Singh (51).
Police said Mahesh, described as “a very senior cadre of the PLA associated with the organisation since 1990,” was apprehended from Guwahati, Assam, with the assistance of the city’s Crime Branch. Authorities did not disclose the location where the second cadre, Sadananda Singh, was arrested.
The ambush took place at Nambol Sabal Leikai in Bishnupur district on September 19, when armed militants opened fire on a vehicle of the 33 Assam Rifles. The attack resulted in the death of two personnel and injuries to five others.
The arrests come just days after the prime accused in the ambush was nabbed from Kameng in Imphal West district. Police sources said the PLA operates mainly out of neighbouring Myanmar, where it maintains several camps and bases.
Security forces have been conducting continuous search operations in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups, which has so far left more than 260 people dead and thousands displaced.
In the wake of the prolonged unrest, the Centre had imposed President’s Rule in Manipur earlier this year after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, whose tenure runs till 2027, remains under suspended animation.
