IED Explosions Damage Bridge on National Highway in Manipur Ahead of Elections
An improvised explosive device (IED) explosion damaged a bridge on National Highway 2 in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district at around 12.45am on Wednesday. Videos circulating on social media showed cracks and three craters on the bridge, significantly impacting vehicular movement.
The blast occurred just two days ahead of polling for the Outer Manipur constituency, scheduled for Friday. The bridge is located between Sapermeina and Koubru Leikha, and NH 2 connects Imphal to Dimapur in Nagaland.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed search operations are underway to apprehend those responsible for the incident. Security has been beefed up in the area. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blasts.
The first phase of polling in Manipur on April 19 for the Inner Manipur and a portion of the Outer Manipur seats witnessed violence, damage to electronic voting machines (EVMs), and allegations of rigging. Re-polling was subsequently held in 11 polling stations in Inner Manipur seat on April 22.
Manipur chief electoral officer Pradeep Kumar Jha stated that they are aware of the IED explosion but assured that since polling in Kangpokpi district occurred in the first phase, it should not affect the second phase of polling on Friday.
