Bridge on NH-2 damaged in bomb attacks

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 24 : Hours after Kuki militants attacked Meetei villages at Awang Sekmai and polling for Outer Parliament seat is set to be held on April 26, a bridge near Sapermeina along Imphal-Dimapur (National-High- way-2) was substantially damaged in bomb explosions in the intervening night of April 23 and April 24.
Reportedly, vehicular movements have been halted on the bridge after three bombs went off at the crucial bridge along the Imphal-Dimapur road.
There, however, is no report of any injury and the police have registered a case in connection with the incident.
It is further said that three craters and cracks were found during the investigation.
It may be mentioned that a heavy gunfight broke out at Awang Sekmai area yesterday between village volunteers and heavily armed Kuki militants after the latter attacked Meetei villages.
Shortly after the explosions, NHIDCL wrote to the district administration concerned to stop vehicular movement  along the route.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, an official of NHIDCL said that actions have been taken on war footing to divert the traffic to an alternative route and repair the bridge.
Our Kangpokpi correspondent reported that the bombs went off at around 12.30 am and the shockwave of the explosions was felt by people living more than 15 kilometres away. It also said the impact of the blast damaged windows, ceilings, and infrastructure of some houses at Saparmeina and its adjoining villages as well as the EBCCF Church.
Saparmeina OC and Kangpokpi OC, under the supervision of SP Kangpokpi rushed to the site at midnight and assessed the situation as well as monitored the traffic flow.
Many loaded trucks were left stranded along the highway near Hengbung village due to restrictions on movement of heavy vehicles. Only light vehicles were allowed to cross the bridge.
The Bomb Squad from the Assam Rifles also inspected the site of the explosion this afternoon.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU),the Saparmeina Area Villages Organization (SAVO), United Saparmeina Youth Club (USYC), and Saparmeina Area Women's Union (SAWU) have condemned the incident.