A powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast damaged a key bridge along National Highway 2 (NH 2) in Manipur on Wednesday, leaving over 150 trucks carrying essential commodities to the state capital Imphal stranded in the Senapati district. Unidentified miscreants triggered the powerful IED explosion at around 12.45 am on the bridge between Koubru Leikha and Saparmeina in Kangpokpi district, creating three craters in the middle portion of the structure. While no casualties were reported, the blast has disrupted the flow of essential supplies to Imphal. The Manipur government has suspended the movement of heavy vehicles between Saparmeina and Koubru Leikha along NH 2 with immediate effect to prevent further incidents. Light unloaded and light passenger vehicles are allowed to pass through with strict regulation until an alternate route is found. Security personnel have cordoned off the bridge and launched an investigation into the IED blast.
The incident comes hours after gunfights broke out between village volunteers of two warring communities in Imphal West district. Over 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjacent hills-based Kukis since May last year.
