An improvised explosive device (IED) explosion on Wednesday damaged a bridge on National Highway 2 in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, affecting vehicular movement. The incident occurred two days before polling for the Outer Manipur constituency, covering 13 assembly constituencies. Security has been heightened and search operations are underway to identify the perpetrators. No outfit has yet claimed responsibility for the blasts. Earlier, violence and allegations of rigging marred the first phase of polling on April 19. The chief electoral officer has assured that the incident will not affect the second phase of polling on Friday.