Imphal, October 29 2009: The proscribed RPF and its army wing PLA have condoled the death of Sgt Henba alias Nongmaithem Ramichandra during a gun battle with a combined team of 21 Para Regiment, 34 Assam Rifles and Thoubal police commandos at Phoilen village under Machi sub-division of Chandel district on October 27 .

A press release issued by the outfit's department of publicity chief GM Changjou claimed that PLA cadres inflicted injuries to nine AR personnel and one Major of 21 Para Regiment.

On receiving information about advancement of troops, the PLA cadres evacuated the villagers to a safer place before engaging the security forces.

As the PLA cadres were evacuating the villagers, the security forces took advantage of the situation.

Had the PLA cadres engaged security forces directly at the first instant, all the nine injured security personnel could have been killed and many more injured.

Citing the recent cases of armed confrontation between the PLA and security forces, the outfit debunked the claim of IG AR (South) Maj Gen AK Choudhury that no insurgents were able to operate in Manipur and were taking shelter in Manipur as unauthentic.

Born to N Mangi and N Ahanbi of Phumlou Mamang Leikai, Henba alias Nongmaithem Ramichandra joined the outfit on September 9, 2000.He felled to bullets of security forces during the gun-battle of October 27 .

After completing basic military training, Henba used to work as signal operator of 253 Mobile Battalion, 251 Mobile Battalion, Quarter Master, Company Sergeant Major in-charge of A-Coy etc.

The outfit described Sgt Henba as a cool, sincere, well-disciplined and a brave revolutionary.

His sacrifice would be inspiration to the younger PLA cadres, it remarked.

The outfit also shared the pain and sorrow being endured by the bereaved family, friends, near and dear ones.