A top leader of armed separatist organisation People's Liberation Army of Manipur was arrested at Gopalpur beach resort about 10 kilometres from the city in Ganjam district on Monday.
He was identified as S.S.Angou, the external affairs head of the terrorist organisation active in Manipur. Speaking to The Hindu , the Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Shefeen Ahmed K said basing on the data and intelligence reports provided by the Central intelligence agencies to Odisha police, personnel of Berhampur police district tracked down the man at Gopalpur. He was arrested and now is in police custody. According to the SP information about his arrest has been sent to the National Investigating Agency (NIA). Officials of the NIA would be arriving to take charge of the arrested man. Initial investigation has revealed that Angou was in Gopalpur to meet his wife, who works somewhere nearby.
Arrest of a top leader from a violent separatist organisation of north-east in south Odisha raises many suspicions and questions. Since long there have been allegations of links between terrorist groups of north-eastern States with the Maoists. Maoists have a good presence in south Odisha and Berhampur is a key urban centre of this region. People's Liberation Army of Manipur is Leftist armed separatist group fighting for establishment of a separate independent socialist state comprising of areas of Manipur. Since its launch during 70s, it is continuing guerrilla warfare against the security forces including personnel of Indian Army. Like the Maoists this organisation is also alleged to be inspired by China.
