Ideology Maoism Area of operations Northeast India | Headquarters Manipur | |
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Active 25 September 1978–present Opponents Designated as a terrorist organisation by the Government of India | ||
The People's Liberation Army of Manipur, often shortened to just People's Liberation Army (PLA) was founded by N. Bisheshwar Singh on 25 September 1978, is a separatist armed revolutionary group fighting for a separate independent socialist state of Manipur, a state in northeastern India. Though it claims to fight for the entire state, the Nagas, Kukis and the tribals in the state are virtually not part of the group. The cadres are drawn from the Meitei people who predominantly follow Vaishnavism.
Since its founding, it has been waging a guerrilla based warfare against the Indian Armed Forces and has targeted the Indian Army, Indian Paramilitary Forces and the State Police Force. However during the late nineties, it declared a unilateral decision not to target the Manipur Police.
The death of some top leaders in combat (like President Thoudam Kunjabehari in 1982), and the arrest of others (like N. Bisheshwar, arrested in 1981) decreased its military activity in the eighties. In 1989, a political wing called the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) was formed. The RPF formed a government in exile in Bangladesh, led by Irengbam Chaoren, and began a restructuring of the organisation. The Organisation become very active. Its operation was divided into four sections: Sadar Valley West Hill areas of Manipur, Sadar Hill areas in the east Valley, Hill areas of Manipur and Imphal valley, each with a commander, and other ranks.
The organisation has an estimated strength of some 3800 as of 2008.
PLA is also a member of the Manipur Peoples Liberation Front, an umbrella organisation of three separatist organisation of Manipur namely UNLF and PREPAK
Flag
Their flag is red with the emblem on the centre.