Guwahati: Seven armed members of the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) militant group were detained on Sunday in various locations throughout Manipur ahead of Independence Day.
Addressing a press conference, Superintendent of Police of Thoubal district, H Jogeshchandra said that said that the Assam Rifles received inputs on Saturday morning about a plot to target government installations and security forces with explosives during the Independence Day celebrations.
He said, “A joint team of Thoubal district police and 16 Assam Rifles rushed to Yairipok Bazaar, cordoned off the area and began a search operation.”
He added that “similar operations were also conducted in various locations in Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, and Thoubal districts.”
The security officers detained a juvenile who had weapons and explosives while also detaining seven extremists. After an investigation, it was discovered that the militants had been murdering two outsiders in June and July while targeting them in the valley districts.
Police reported that they had also taken a 9 mm pistol with magazine, a Beretta pistol with magazine, 35 live 9 mm rounds, and two hand grenades.
The state has increased security in preparation for the Fourth of July festivities.