3 blasts damage bridge in Manipur days before second round of polling

The damage to the bridge will affect the movement of traffic along National Highway-2 which connects Imphal to Dimapur in Nagaland.

Security personnel stand guard in front of their armoured vehicle outside a polling station during a rerun voting at 11 polling stations, in Imphal, Manipur on April 22 (Reuters)

With just two days to go before the second phase of polling takes place in parts of Outer Manipur, three medium intensity blasts damaged a bridge in the Kangpokpi district late in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

While there were no injuries or deaths because of the blast, it will affect the movement of traffic along National Highway-2 which connects Imphal to Dimapur in Nagaland.

According to a security official, the incident took place at around 1:15 am close to Sapormeina in Kangpokpi district. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident yet, and investigations are underway, the official said. Security forces have cordoned off the area and nearby areas and other bridges are being searched and checked.

The first phase of polling in the state on April 19 was marred by gunfire, destruction of EVMs and allegations of coercion and intimidation in parts of the Inner Manipur constituency.

As many as 11 polling stations in the constituency went to elections again on April 22. In a letter to the Election Commission, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, Ramananda Nongmeikapam, had flagged eruption of mob violence and instances of booth capturing, destruction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) during the first round of polling. He also stated that in Imphal East, miscreants shot at an elderly man, injuring him.

Since then, there have also been gunfights in the area at the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi district. According to news agency PTI, a group of villagers had descended from hills in the Kangpookpi district, after which heavy firing was reported in the Awang Sekmai and neighbouring Luwangsangol villages.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More

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