People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK)
The People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) PREPAK was formed in 1977 demanding the expulsion of "outsiders" from the state. Led by Achamba Singh and Tajila, the group had an estimated cadre strength of 1,000 as of 2005. It is primarily trained by the NSCN-IM. The PREPAK is part of the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), an umbrella organization also including the UNLF and PLA. Other than the Manipur valley, PREPAK operates in small areas of Nagaland and Mizoram. It reportedly received weapons and training from the Kachin Independent Army (KIA) of Burma and has camps in Bangladesh.
History
The People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) was formed under the leadership of R.K. Tulachandra on October 9, 1977.
Kangleipak is the ancient name of Manipur. A series of dacoities and ambushes committed in 1978 and 1979 were also attributed to PREPAK. The object was to snatch arms from the security forces and collect money for purchasing arms. Their arsenal was built up by looting arms from the police and para-military forces and buying from the poorly paid Myanmarese soldiers deployed across India's borders. In 1980 a small group split off from PREPAK to form the
Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP). On November 12, 1985, the founder and chairman of PREPAK R.K. Tulachandra was killed in a shootout in Kabowakching area, 14 km. south of Imphal. Following his death, S. Wanglen became the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of PREPAK. The organisation's General Secretary, Lumbeban Masunga was killed on May 19, 1993. In 1980s and in early 1990s, many cadres were killed in factional clashes. The fraction-riddled party was transformed into a well organised and trained force in the late 1990s. In this process PREPAK leader late Urrikhinbam Sarat alias Meiraba played a crucial role.
In the early nineties, PREPAK along with other Meitei militant organization launched a social reformation campaign to eradicate the social crimes. It had given punishment against those persons involved in rape cases. The party also took action against drug users, drug peddlers and smashes alcohol vendors in an attempt to bring a social change in Manipur.
On safeguarding Manipur's territorial integrity, PREPAK's Defence Secretary Chinglemba Mangang declared on October 17, 2003 that the MPLF (a conglomeration of three militants groups - UNLF, RPF and PREPAK) was fully prepared to extend all possible help, including "military support" to the Manipuri peoples' fight against any threat to their
territory.
Objective
Claiming to be the "most genuine revolutionary groups" in Manipur, the PREPAK's demand is the establishment
of an independent state of Manipur.
Command Structure
PREPAK has a well-defined command structure. The Central Committee of the party is the highest decision making body and all political and military decisions are made by it. The political wing is headed by a Chairman. The armed wing of the outfit is called the Red Army and is under the direct control of a Commander-in-Chief. For the convenience of operation, it has set up district commands. A district command is headed by a district commander and includes in its ranks lieutenants, sergeants major, sergeants, corporals, and lance corporals. A district command is further divided into units. A women's wing has been set up and work mainly in organizational activities.
Leaders
Presently, the post of Chairman is vacant. Vice-Chairman is Naba and Subhash @ Paliba is the General Secretary. Tajila is the Commander-in- Chief. Other Secretaries are Home, Defence, Finance, Organisation and Publicity and Propaganda. Chinglemba Mangang is the Defence Secretary and Chief of Army staff of PREPAK.
Achamba was the Chairman of the party but he was removed from the party some time back. The party has not made public about his removal. This is the information I which got from some party members. However, they to divulge the reasons for his removal.
Strength
According to web site, the South Asian Terrorism
Portal, it has about 200 fighters. But sources closed to the rebel group
claimed that it has more than 500 committed fighters. It is believed that PREPAK has bought a wide range of weapons including AK - series, rocket launchers, mortars, snipers, explosives etc. from the South Asian markets. Of late, PREPAK has become a force to reckon with. It has launched a serious of operations against Indian security forces alone and with coordination with other militant groups like United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and Revolutionary People's Front (RPF).
Areas of
Operation
Funding
Casualties
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