Imphal, September 12, 2009: Claiming that the ambush which killed four IRB personnel and injured six others at Makha Ching (Ningthemcha Karong) near Oksu this morning was undertaken by a team of its army wing PLA, the proscribed RPF has clarified that the ambush was not intentional.

Explaining about the unfortunate incident, a statement issued by the outfit's department of publicity chief GM Changjou said that a team of PLA cadres were lying in ambush in the area on learning that a central security team was coming there.

At about 10.30 am, a team of security personnel wearing combat uniforms and bullet-proof vests exactly similar to those of central security forces approached the site in a bullet-proof security vehicle followed by Maruti gypsy.

Immediately, the PLA cadres launched an intensive attack.

Soon it was learnt that the targets were not central security forces but personnel of the 6th IRB posted at Maphou Dam.

In the next moments, the PLA cadres ceased firing and withdrew from the site after snatching four weapons from the IRB team.

Saying that Manipur Police, IRB, Police commandos and MR personnel are not well-versed in warfare and that they are running their families with their salaries, the outfit clarified that its principle of not targeting state forces has not been changed.

But the PLA may attack them if they encroach upon areas occupied by the PLA cadres or when the outfit decides to finish off those few rogues within the state force, it cautioned.

The RPF also appealed to the state security forces to use uniforms and vehicles which could be easily differentiated from those of central security forces.

It also appealed to all state security personnel not to go together with central security forces.

Reacting to the interview of IGAR (S) Maj Gen AK Choudhary with AIR/Imphal news Editor Nando, the RPF asserted that the whole comments of the IG needs thorough interrogation.

The absence of anything about the continued violation of human rights by security forces over the years in the whole interview only exposed that it was some sort of a conspiracy.

Asserting that the armed liberation movement is a political war, the RPF noted that either of the two opposing sides may enjoy greater leverage at one point in the course of the war and this may reverse to the advantage of the other party.

Maj Gen AK Choudhary seems to be ignorant that any war of liberation should encounter vicissitudes in its course, it said.

Saying that the PLA have attacked security forces on numerous occasions and it would continue to attack them until the people of Manipur are liberated, the RPF claimed that a large number PLA cadres and countless numbers of their supporters are living in Manipur.

There are a number of PLA camps within and outside Manipur, it disclosed.

The outfit further clarified that it neither prohibited nor supported the last election.

Nevertheless RPF condemned all elections conducted under Indian constitution.

Together with the people, RPF would tackle all those counter-revolutionaries and rogue elements indulging in anti-social elements in the name of the liberation movement.

AK Choudhary's attempt to link genuine revolutionaries with the activities undertaken by pseudo revolutionaries lacked any rationale, it asserted.

Maj Gen AK Choudhary has been acting as if unaware that the education system of India and its namesake development programmes would never be able to bring real development and security to the oppressed people of Manipur.

Regretting the death of the four IRB personnel and injuries sustained by six personnel, the RPF and its army wing PLA shared the pain and grief being endured by the bereaved families, friends and relatives.

Comment