The People's Liberation Army of Manipur, often shortened to just People's Liberation Army (PLA) was founded by N. Bisheshwar Singh on 25 September 1978, is a separatist armed revolutionary group fighting for a separate independent socialist state of Manipur, a state in northeastern India. Though it claims to fight for the entire state, the Nagas, Kukis and the tribals in the state are virtually not part of the group. The cadres are drawn from the Meitei people who predominantly follow Vaishnavism. The death of some top leaders in combat (like President Thoudam Kunjabehari in 1982), and the arrest of others (like N. Bisheshwar, arrested in 1981) decreased its military activity in the eighties. In 1989, a political wing called the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) was formed. The RPF formed a government in exile in Bangladesh, led by Irengbam Chaoren, and began a restructuring of the organisation. The Organisation become very active. Its operation was divided into four sections: Sadar Valley West Hill areas of Manipur, Sadar Hill areas in the east Valley, Hill areas of Manipur and Imphal valley, each with a commander, and other ranks. The organisation has an estimated strength of some 3800 as of 2008.
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