Manipur: Intel Agencies Sound Alarm Over Terror Groups Becoming Active, Stoking Tension, Officials Say

According to officials, after the incident central security agencies have warned about the possibility of terrorists mingling with crowds during any protest to stoke tensions in the Manipur state.

Security personnel stand guard in Bishnupur district in Manipur.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Terrorists from banned organizations, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) were allegedly among the mob from which gunshots were fired at an army officer that left him severely injured in Manipur, PTI reported on Monday citing officials.

According to officials, after the incident central security agencies have warned about the possibility of terrorists mingling with crowds during any protest to stoke tensions in the restive Manipur state.

Last week, a Lt Colonel of the army was injured during a standoff with a group of people, including Meira Paibis (women vigilantes), who attempted to attack tribals at Molnoi village near Pallel in Tengnoupal district but were stopped by the army and Assam Rifles.

During the stand-off, a bullet hit Lt Col Raman Tyagi in his hand, an incident that led to a crackdown on the protesters who were determined to march towards the tribal village.

Lt Col Tyagi was airlifted from Manipur to Guwahati where he underwent surgery, the officials said. 

After the investigation, the security agencies concluded that the terrorists of the banned groups were part of the crowd, they said.

The officials said they had been warning for the past few weeks about the resurgence of near dormant banned groups like UNLF, PLA, Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup (KYKL) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) in the state.

Earlier on June 24, Army and Assam Rifles, based on specific intelligence, nabbed 12 members of KYKL in East Imphal including self-styled 'Lt Colonel' Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam.

The UNLF has in the past been largely involved in extortion targeting contractors and businessmen, while PLA, which initially took shape under the name of 'Polei', had the aim to liberate Manipur and establish an independent Meitei land in Imphal Valley.

The KYKL, which runs on extortion and openly supports other terror groups, is considered a mercenary group with no ideology and cadres mainly drawn from criminals and drug addicts.

The PREPAK, which has been banned by the government for its secessionist ideology of so-called liberation of Manipur and whose funding mainly comes from extortion of businessmen especially pharmacies, indulged mainly in drug trafficking and smuggling.