An RCC bridge between Saparmeina and Koubru Leikha, which is 1 km North from Saparmeina Police station in Kangpokpi district, Manipur along Imphal-Dimapur road NH-2 was destroyed by three bomb explosions, suspected to be by Kuki militants, around 12.25 am on Wednesday.
The blast, causing major damage to the bridge, has cut off all traffic and vehicular movement on the most important lifeline of the state.
Official reports said, the bombs were exploded horizontally in three spots making huge holes in the middle of the bridge.
The impact of the explosion on the bridge shook the ceiling of Evangelical Baptist Convention Church Fellowship which is 700 meters away from the explosion site.
Around 163 loaded trucks, 6-buses and 2 oil tankers were stranded at Tumuyon Khullen, Senapati District as NH2 (Imphal-Dimapur highway) was cut off due to the explosion.
Around 100 empty trucks coming from the Imphal side are also stranded at Sekmai. However, light-weight vehicles were allowed passage from the side.
The bridge is maintained by NHIDCL and Kangpokpi Police station informed NHIDCL about the incident but their officials did not reach the site till 10 am on Wednesday.
Additional SP (L/O) Kangpokpi Rocky Pou said that they inspected the side and took up steps to form a diversion road at the earliest as security personnel and officials who will be on election duty for the outer Lok Sabha election to be held on April 26 will be travelling by the route.
Kangpokpi district police have already started working on the diversion road. The diversion would be constructed at the side of the bridge by using JCB excavators as the stream flowing beneath the bridge is very shallow.
Meanwhile, DC Kangpokpi Mahesh Chaudhari has issued an order that there will be complete stoppage of all kinds of heavy vehicular traffic on the minor bridge in Saparmeina at existing Ch 287-370 of NH 39 (new NH 2) between Saparmeina and Koubru Leikha with immediate effect till further orders to avoid any untoward incident and to ensure safety of the general public/commuters.
The order said, light unloaded and lighter passenger vehicles may pass through under strict regulation for the moment.
Further SP kangpokpi shall regulate the traffic from Saparmeina to Koubru Leikha until the alternate route work is completed while SDM, Saitu-Gamphazol shall be at station at the location for overall coordination and action until further orders.
NHIDCL has also been asked to depute a team for restoration and alternate route work.
