Imphal: High-level security talks were held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Babupara, Imphal, on Sunday, with the Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand meeting senior Assam Rifles officials to review the prevailing security situation in the state.
The meeting came a day after a joint operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police led to the arrest of a high-ranking, wanted cadre of the proscribed People’s Liberation Army (PLA), who is accused in the deadly 2021 ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Churachandpur.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister held discussions with the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (East), Major General Inderjit Singh Bhinder, and DIG of 22 Sector Assam Rifles, Brigadier Anshuman Tripathi.
The discussions focused on the security situation across sensitive districts, ongoing counter-insurgency operations, the operational preparedness of security forces, border management and civic action initiatives aimed at supporting communities in designated areas.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister praised the Assam Rifles in a social media post, commending the force for its continued efforts to maintain peace and security in the region and its role in restoring normalcy in Manipur.
The security review followed a major counter-insurgency operation on August 22, during which the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police apprehended an active PLA cadre identified as self-styled Captain Thiyam Boycha Singh, also known as Balin.
The operation was carried out in the Ushoipokpi area of Thoubal district after the Assam Rifles received specific intelligence about the movement and presence of the militant, whose trail reportedly originated from Bishnupur district.
Acting on the intelligence, joint teams launched a coordinated search operation at around 5:30 pm and intercepted Singh.
Authorities said he is a high-value target wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had announced a reward of Rs 4 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
Singh is also a principal accused in the November 13, 2021, ambush in Churachandpur, in which Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife and young son, along with four Assam Rifles personnel, were killed.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that Singh had allegedly spent extended periods at an insurgent camp in neighbouring Myanmar, where he received military training. He is also suspected of involvement in the procurement and movement of arms and other war-like stores and of maintaining operational links with other active militant groups.
After initial questioning, Singh was handed over to the Manipur Police at Lilong Police Station in Thoubal district at around 6:20 pm for further legal proceedings.
Security officials said the operation underscored the close coordination, intelligence-sharing and operational cooperation between the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in countering insurgent activities and strengthening security in the region.