Imphal, December 26 2010: The proscribed Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) today strongly refuted a police allegation that six NGOs are 'frontal organisations' of the Front and its army wing PLA which provides funds to the NGOs on a monthly basis.

On Thursday, Imphal West Police Commandos arrested eight members of six NGOs on the charge of acting as 'frontal organisations' of the PLA saying that they were rounded up based on a disclosure made by an arrested cadre of the outfit on the same day.

The six NGOs are Imphal East United Club Organisation (IEUCO), Social United Club Organisation (SUCO), North United Club Organisation & Meira Paibi Organisation (NIUCAMO), North Eastern United Club Organisation, South Eastern United Club Organisation (SEUCO), North Eastern United Club Organisation (NEUCO) and Poirei Apunba Leimarol Ema Meira Paibi (PALEM) .

The eight arrested members include president of IEUCO, Kshetrimayum Biren @ German @ Boris Singh (28) of New Chekon Pukhri Achouba, president of SUCO, Ningthoujam Shyamsunder Singh of Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, its member Khoisnam Khogen Singh of Khurai Ningthoubung, president of NIUCAMO, Thoudam Ibelei Devi, president of NEUCO, Khoyam Helen Singh of Kangla Sangomshang Awang Leikai, president of SEUCO, Lashram Deven Singh of Bamon Kampu Makha Leikai, an ex-member of the same NGO, Lairenlakpam Nandini of Sawombung Gate and secretary of PALEM, Naoroijam (O) Bimolata Devi of Nongada Khunjao.

They were remanded into police custody after being produced in the court of CJM, Imphal East District.

Police insist that the six NGOs received funds from the People Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) on a monthly basis.

They said this was disclosed by Yaithengbam Inao @ Yaiphaba (35), son of Y Yaima of Khurai Thangjam Leirak, a cadre of PLA, arrested by police commandos at 8.30 pm on Thursday, December 23 near the Porompat TV Tower.

He had joined the outfit in May, 2010 .

However, a statement of the RPF signed by its assistant secretary, publicity, GM Changjou dispatched to the media houses today refuted the police claim and said the NGOs and members arrested by the police were not related with the outfit in any way.

The charges levelled against the NGOS getting funds from the RPF/PLA are fabrications and that Inao @ Yaiphaba said to be arrested by the police is also not a cadre of the outfit, Changjou said in the statement.

Police in collusion with vested interests, who are sucking the blood of the common people, have levelled the false charges against the NGOs who are working for the cause of the society.

The time has come to fight against such propaganda of the government to eliminate NGOs working for the cause of the people, the statement added.

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