Imphal: Unidentified miscreants blew up a PMGSY Bailey bridge over the Namban Lok river in Manipur’s Kamjong district, snapping the only road link between Chatric village and nearby areas and the district headquarters, local sources said.The incident occurred late on Tuesday. Police said they received information about the blast around 9.30 am on Wednesday.The bridge, located between Phange and Chatric villages, was destroyed using suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs), police said.In a related incident, unidentified miscreants torched a pick-up van belonging to the telecom department that was parked on the bank of the Namban Lok river . The vehicle was completely gutted.Police said the attack appeared aimed at damaging public property and critical infrastructure, disrupting transport and communication services, restricting public movement and creating fear.With the bridge destroyed, Chatric and surrounding villages have been cut off from the district headquarters, causing serious hardship for residents.A suo motu case has been registered at Chassad police station under relevant provisions of law, and an investigation has been launched to identify and arrest those responsible. No group has claimed responsibility so far.The blast is the third major IED-related incident targeting bridges in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.On June 21, 2023, three people were injured when an IED planted in a car exploded on a bridge between Phougakchao Ikhai and Kwakta in Bishnupur district. Another powerful IED blast on April 24, 2024, damaged the bridge connecting Saparmeina and Koubru Leikha in Kangpokpi district, leaving three craters.Meanwhile, Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth), a youth collective, condemned the destruction of the bridge, calling it the only alternate lifeline route connecting Ukhrul and Imphal via Chatric. In a statement, the group alleged the act was carried out by “Kuki narco-terrorists” with the assistance of Assam Rifles personnel on Tuesday night.It said residents of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts have faced severe hardship over the past five months due to restrictions on movement along National Highway 202, forcing many to rely on the Chatric route for access to healthcare, education, markets, govt services, employment and emergencies.The collective demanded an immediate judicial or independent probe to establish the facts and fix responsibility. It also sought criminal cases against those found involved, suspension of personnel pending inquiry, and restoration of the bridge “on a war footing” to ensure uninterrupted civilian access.
