Replied by Col Jaideep Chanda
Relation between PLA China and PLA Manipur
People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, was founded on 25 September 1978, under the leadership of N. Bisheshwar. The PLA (Manipur) was named by the founder as suggested by their initial mentors, the PLA of China. The pioneer group (referred to as the Ojhas) of the PLA (Manipur) had attended indoctrination and training in China for two years before returning to India and starting the insurgency. The group was intrinsically Leftist and had strong links with the Naxal movement.
In a conflict like situation, use of all means available to the adversary has to be factored into our planning. Hence for all purposes, China will strive to make use of PLA Manipur and other insurgent groups to create disturbances in North Eastern states. However they are not likely to be successful given the ethos of the insurgent groups and the limited influence that China has over them in recent times.