Imphal, September 05, 2009: Reacting to claims by security forces of arresting activists of the armed RPF in the past few days, a statement issued by the proscribed outfit's chief of department of Publicity GM Changjou in rejecting the contention dismissed the assertion as misleading and intended to tarnish image of the revolutionary movement.

The PRO Assam Rifles had contended that one Soukat ali (35) s/o (L) Nawab Ali of Moreh Pangal basti was arrested by troops of 31 AR on September 1 morning as a PLA cadre.

In a statement, Additional SP (IE) K Tomba claimed that a combined team of district police commandos and 28 AR apprehended two PLA members namely Gurumayum Milan Sharma alias Laningamba (28) s/o G Joy Sharma of Bamon Leikai Brahmapur nahabam Leikai and Gurumayum Kiranmala (320 d/o (L) G Joykumar Sharma also of Bamon Leikai Brahmapur Nahabam Leikai on September 1 afternoon.

Three demand letters of the proscribed outfit were claimed to have been recovered from the two when they were arrested from Kshetrigao areas.

Similarly, the Additional SP on September 3 claimed that IE police commandos and 39 AR arrested one Nongthonbam Jiten Meitei (37) s/o N Thambalngou from his Pangei Makha Leikai residence.

apart from recovery of a .32 auto pistol from Jiten, the Additional SP had said that the arrestee's revelation had led to the arrest of one Ngasekpam Premeshwor alias Prema (33) s/o Ng Bheiga of Pangei Haraorou Makha Leikai.

Denying any connection of the arrested persons, GM Changjou also clarified as RPF/PLA had already ceased relaying on personal demands there is no question of sending anybody to serve demand letters.

Further, the RPF's publicity chief opined that as morale of the police commandos are at the lowest ebb in the aftermath of the July 23 BT Road incident it is not surprising that efforts are being made to brand innocent persons, former UG activists or individuals having had slightest link with UG outfits as members of armed groups to showcase that police commandos are still very active.

The baseless contention that the five arrested persons are RPF/PLA members is yet another manifestation of the police authorities to project the police commandos in good light and that they do not indulge in extra-judicial killing.

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