PLA continues bomb attack

IMPHAL, Sep 24 : People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) triggered a bomb explosion just as a team of police commandos passed by near Kamu Maring village of Imphal East district this morning.

The village, which falls under Yairipok Police Station, is located between Andro and Yambem Khunou.

However, no security personnel was hurt in the incident.

According to information culled from the spot, even as the commando team which came in three Gypsys and a car from Andro side passed the spot, a powerful bomb exploded with a loud sound at around 10 am.

The bomb was buried on the side of the road which connects Andro and Yambem Khunou, near the retaining wall of Pheidahi canal. Although nobody was injured in the explosion, the last Gypsy suffered minor damage.

The intensity of the explosion not only dug up a sizable pit but also damaged the retaining wall of the canal.

The commando team was said to have fired a few shots in the air after the explosion.

The police team also interrogated some farmers who were at the nearby paddy field.

However, they left towards Yairipok Yambem after having quick verification of the farmers.

Later in the evening, RPF/PLA claimed responsibility of the blast.

Meanwhile, a joint security team of Imphal and Thoubal district police commandos, Army Military Intelligence and 28 Assam Rifles arrested three active members of RPF/PLA along with four flags of the outfit.

Speaking to reporters tonight, Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus said, the cadres were arrested during an operation conducted in the wake of different bomb attacks carried out by underground outfits and prior to the Raising Day of RPF/PLA.

The operation was conducted starting 5 am today at Andro Tarongthel, Andro Maringthel and Yairipok Yambem.

The cadres have been identified as Sarungbam Thoiba Meitei (57) s/o late Leishang of Andro Tarongthel, Mutum Shanta (40) s/o Tomba of Yairipok Yambem Mathak Leikai and Yumkhaibam Chaothoi s/o Sanjoy of Andro Maringthel.

Four flags of RPF and a mobile handset were seized from their possession. On questioning, they disclosed that they had to prepare flags, festoons and stars under the command of division-II secretary Jayenta of Uchol and division-II assistant secretary Hijam Babu in connection with the Raising Day of RPF/PLA.

The SP said that the arrested cadres also gathered information regarding movement of security forces and involved in transportation of arms, ammunition and explosives. Investigation is going on by taking up different cases against the trio, the SP added.