Security forces have made significant progress in their ongoing efforts to combat insurgent activities in Manipur by arresting two individuals allegedly linked to the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These arrests are connected to the September 19 ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Bishnupur district, an event that tragically resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to five others.
The arrested militants have been identified as Thongram Sadananda Singh, also known by the aliases Ngachik and Purakpa, aged 18, and Chongtham Mahesh, who holds the rank of self-styled Lieutenant Corporal and is 51 years old. Mahesh is noted for his lengthy association with the PLA, having been active in the organization since 1990. He was arrested in Guwahati, Assam, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the city’s Crime Branch. Details regarding the location of Sadananda Singh’s arrest are currently unreported.
The ambush occurred in Nambol Sabal Leikai, where armed militants attacked a vehicle belonging to the 33 Assam Rifles. In the aftermath, authorities have intensified their focus on apprehending those responsible for the attack, which has garnered considerable attention given the increasing violence in the region.
These latest arrests follow the capture of a prime suspect linked to the ambush earlier this week in Kameng, located in the Imphal West district. According to police sources, the PLA primarily operates out of neighboring Myanmar, maintaining various camps and bases there, which complicates policing efforts in the region.
The backdrop of these events includes ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. This unrest has resulted in over 260 fatalities and displaced thousands.
In response to the escalating situation, the Indian government imposed President’s Rule in Manipur earlier this year. This decision followed the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, leaving the state assembly under suspended animation until further notice. Security forces continue to execute search and combing operations across Manipur, aiming to restore peace and order amid heightened tensions.
