Hiding PLA militant held in Delhi

NEW DELHI - The special cell of the Delhi Police has apprehended an active member of the banned militant outfit People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who was hiding in the capital, it was announced Saturday.

The man, Oinam Ibomcha Singh (28), was popularly known among the PLA cadre as “Japan”. He was hiding in Delhi to evade arrest in Manipur.

“Following a tip-off, he was apprehended Friday from the main road opposite ‘Apni Rasoi’ restaurant in Vijay Nagar,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Arun Kampani said Saturday.

Ibomcha Singh told police that he had studied till Class 12 and then he joined the PLA in 1999-2000.

“He underwent training for handling of arms and ammunition in Myanamar in Maoist camps. His areas of operation were Delhi, Guwahati and Dimapur. The man was absconding in many cases from Manipur, including murder attempt and extortion,” said Kampani.

He was one of the two PLA militants who entered the premises of the Airtel tower in Imphal in March 2010 and damaged equipment.

The PLA, a banned terrorist outfit, was formed in 1978 comprising of ethnic groups such as Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis with the objective of liberating Manipur. PLA militants are equipped with sophisticated arms and have been involved in extortion, killings and other terrorist activities.