IED explosion at Imphal-Dimapur road, disturb essential services

Imphal: An IED explosion has caused partial destruction to a bridge along the National Highway 2, Imphal Dimapur road, one of the crucial lifelines of Manipur connecting Imphal to the rest of India disrupting flow of essential commodities coming towards the state. However, there is no report of injury or loss of life in the explosion.

The IED blast took place on an important bridge located between Koubru Leikha and Saparmeina in Kangpokpi District (populated by Kukis) in the wee hours around 12. 25 AM on Monday. The explosion severely damaged the bridge forming three huge craters. Besides the craters, cracks were also found on the structure of the bridge. Security establishments suspect that unknown miscreants might have used three IEDs to destroy the whole bridge but could not succeed in their plan.

Heavy vehicles such as goods trucks and passenger buses are unable to pass through the bridge, however small vehicles could cross the bridge without any difficulties.

Top officers of state police and central forces arrived and inspected the blast site. However, security establishments are clueless as to why the attack was carried out. The explosion at the bridge occurred hours after the heavy exchange of fire between armed Kuki and Meitei Village volunteers at Awang Sekmai in Imphal West District on Tuesday night. The Saparmeina Police Station has registered a case and investigation has started.

Due to the damages caused to the bridge, several vehicles including goods trucks and passenger buses coming towards Imphal are  stranded on Kangpokpi side. On the other hand a diversion road has been constructed by the side of the bridge under the instruction of the state government to continue the traffic flow. The Deputy Commissioner and SP of Kangpokpi District also oversaw the construction of the diversion road.

Manipur has been under the grip of ethnic violence since May 3rd last year, which resulted in the loss of over 200 lives and more than 60,000 peoples being displaced. Uneasiness has been going on for the last 11 months with gunfights in peripheral areas.

In June last year also unknown miscreants also carried out an planned IED explosion at a  bridge located between Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta in Bishnupur connecting Churachandpur district during the peak days of violence in the state injuring three people including a child.