The People's Liberation Army is a Meitei militant separatist group located in the northeast Indian state of Manipur.  The PLA was founded by N. Bisheswar Singh on September 25, 1978 with the goal of attaining independence for Manipur.  The PLA claims to be a trans-tribal organization seeking to unite all northeast tribes in a revolutionary front opposing India's occupation of Manipur, which began in 1949. <P><br /><br />      Since its founding, the PLA has engaged in a guerrilla insurgent campaign against the Indian government. PLA militants have consistently targeted Indian army and security forces in districts and along border regions within Manipur.  PLA recruits were trained in guerrilla warfare in Myanmar by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) during the 1980s, and are reported to have contacts with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).   <P><br />     Prior investigations and arrests of PLA militants reveal that the group maintains a large supply of firearms and the potential to create explosive devices. Several instances also indicate that their chief method of financing is through extorting local businesses and politicians.  This funding is used to further their political agenda and spread propaganda.  Beginning in 1990, a campaign known as STAFORCE began that involved aggressive enforcement by PLA militants to restrict the sale of alcohol and drugs, curb political corruption, and control immoral behavior.  <P><br />     <br />     The PLA consists of four divisions that are most prevalent in and around Imphal, the capital of Manipur.  This region includes the hill areas surrounding the city as well as the Sadar Hills District.  Divisions follow a military hierarchy, with commanders maintaining authority over lieutenants, sergeants, and lance corporals.  <P><br /><br />     In 1979, the PLA formed a political wing, the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF).  Despite being declared unlawful in 1981, the RPF still runs a government-in-exile out of Bangladesh, headed by President Irengbam Chaoren.  The RPF has several departments that resemble a legitimate government, including: Finance, Foreign Affairs, Publicity and Communication, Health and Education, and Social Welfare.   <P> <br />     The RPF maintains relationships with several other groups in northeastern India. In 1991, the RPF joined an umbrella organization of separatist groups, the Revolutionary Joint Committee (RJC), along with the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP).  Since all three groups were declared unlawful, this consolidation was viewed as a way to increase their overall revolutionary capabilities.  The unified struggle for Manipur's independence deepened further in 1999 with the formation of the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), consisting of all groups in the RJC and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF).<br />