Blast at Cachar bridge derails goods movement
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 27 2013:
Trans-portation of essential items to Manipur along NH-37 suffered a major blow on Tuesday night after a key RCC bridge was damaged in a powerful bomb explosion triggered by unknown miscreants at Chiripool in Cachar district of Assam.
The impact of the blast was so huge that two padedtal bearings of the bridge were dislodged and feel into the river, and the sound of explosion could be heard up to Jiribam.
However, nobody was injured in the incident though some window panes, doors and glass of some houses located nearby were shattered.
115 RCC, 765 BRTF, which is responsible for the maintenance of the bridge located between Fulertol and Pailapool, imposed prohibition on crossing of loaded trucks with immediate effect after the blast.
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115 RCC, 765 BRTF Commandant Col Vinay Bahl said that as 35 percent of the bridge was damaged by the powerful explosion, repairing works might take around three months.
While police were yet to officially confirm the responsible group, Lakhimpur Police Station OC pointed the finger of suspicion to HPC and NSCN (IM) .
Saying that transporters have started preferring NH-37 over NH-2 for the transportation of essential items to Imphal from Silchar and Guwahati due to increasing number of extortion cases on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur route), the police officer expressed suspicion that NSCN (IM) might plan the blast in order to divert loaded trucks towards NH-2 .
Cachar MP Korbinda Porkasto and high level police officers inspected the site soon after the blast.
A massive search operation was conducted at the area.
Meanwhile, All Assam Manipuri Students Union condemned the incident.
Union President Seram Herojit appealed to the concerned group not to carry out such attacks in future.