Imphal: An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast destroyed a key Bailey bridge over the Namban Lok River in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Wednesday, cutting off the only road link between Chatric and several surrounding villages and the district headquarters. In the same incident, unidentified miscreants also set a Telecom Department vehicle on fire.
The blast occurred at around 9:30 am between Phange and Chatric villages in the border district, which shares an international boundary with Myanmar.
The damaged bridge, an iron-and-steel Bailey structure built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), served as a crucial transport link for the region. Officials said the explosion destroyed the central portion of the bridge, leaving more than 10 villages in Sahamphung Block disconnected from the district headquarters. The block comprises over 21 villages.
During the investigation, police recovered remnants of the explosive device scattered along the riverbank. Preliminary findings indicate that parts of the explosive assembly were found on a blue plastic tarpaulin near the blast site.
In a separate act of vandalism, a Bolero pick-up vehicle belonging to the Telecom Department, parked near the bridge, was allegedly set ablaze by the attackers. The vehicle was completely gutted in the fire.
A Kamjong Police team has reached the site to assess the damage and collect evidence. Authorities have registered a suo motu case and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the attack on the public infrastructure.
Police suspect the bridge was deliberately targeted to disrupt transportation and communication in the area, restrict public movement and create fear among local residents.
The destruction of the bridge has created major logistical challenges for villages in Sahamphung Block, affecting the movement of people as well as the supply of essential goods and emergency services.