Bridge on National Highway damaged in IED explosions in Manipur

Videos of the incident circulating on social media showed cracks and three craters on the bridge, which has affected vehicular movement

Updated on: Apr 24, 2024, 14:26:08 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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A bridge on National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi district of strife-torn Manipur was damaged in three improvised explosive device (IED) explosions at around 12.45am on Wednesday, officials said. No one was injured in the incident. However, videos of the incident circulating on social media showed cracks and three craters on the bridge, which has affected vehicular movements.

The blast occurred just two days ahead of the polling for the Outer Manipur constituency, which is scheduled on Friday. (Representative Image)

The blast occurred on a bridge located between Sapermeina and Koubru Leikha. NH 2 connects Imphal to Dimapur in Nagaland.

The incident happened just two days ahead of the polling for the Outer Manipur constituency (covering 13 assembly constituencies), which is scheduled on Friday.

A police official said on condition of anonymity that search operations have been launched to nab those responsible for the incident and security has been beefed up in the area. No outfit has 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 had witnessed violence, damage to electronic voting machines (EVMs) and allegations of rigging. Subsequently re-poll was held in 11 polling stations in Inner Manipur seat on April 22.

“We are aware of the IED explosion, but since polling in Kangpokpi district took place in the first phase, it shouldn’t affect polling for the second phase on Friday,” said Manipur chief electoral officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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