Guwahati, May 24 (IANS) Three female cadres of Manipur-based militant outfits were arrested and two minors detained in Meghalaya when they were trying to cross into India from Bangladesh, an official said Thursday.

‘The three females were identified as Lily Leima Devi (52), Memma Devi (52) and Laiman Chandra Rani alias Ibecha Devi (34),’ a Border Security Force (BSF) spokesman told IANS.

The two minor children who were caught were identified as Ibecha Devi-Ibngo (7) and Shamila (4).

‘While Lily Leima Devi and Memma Devi belong to Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, Ibecha Devi belongs to Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), an underground outfit based in Manipur,’ he said. All the five were apprehended while trying to cross over to India from Bangladesh.

Lily Leima Devi is suspected to be the publicity secretary of PLA, he said.

‘During preliminary interrogation they have confessed that they were coming from their camps in Khonagaon area in Moulvi Bazar district of Bangladesh and that they were heading for Manipur,’ the BSF spokesman said.

The BSF handed over the five to Meghalaya police Thursday.