Blasts destroy Sapermeina bridge, traffic regulated
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal/Kangpokpi, April 24 2024: Suspected Kuki militants detonated earth-shattering Improvised Explosive Device (IED), at the RCC Bridge near Saparmeina under Gamnom Saparmeina Police Station, Kangpokpi district along National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) around 12.30am Wednesday.

With the blast causing substantial damages to the bridge, Kangpokpi district magistrate has prohibited movement of all heavy vehicles on the said route.

According to a report, suspected Kuki militants detonated three powerful bombs on the RCC Bridge located between Koubru Leikha and Saparmeina Bazar, mainly inhabited by Kuki community, which is about 32 km from Imphal.

The impact of the blast damaged windows of nearby houses and the EBCCF Church at Saparmeina, while leaving three 7-8 ft wide craters, destroying the slabs on the bridge.

The site, regarded as buffer zone by security forces and inaccessible for the Meetei community since outbreak of the ethnic conflict on May 3 last year, is located 12-13km from Kanglatongbi.

The impact was also felt as far as 15km away in Kangpokpi town, as well as from Motbung to Gamgiphai, which is over 20km away from the site.

On receiving report of the explosion, teams of Saparmeina PS, Kangpokpi district police and central forces went to the site and conducted search operations.

While no one was injured in the blast, Gamnom Saparmeina PS has registered a case and investigation is underway.

In this regard, Kangpokpi district magistrate issued an order prohibiting the movement of heavy vehicles over the RCC Bridge.

At present, movement of light vehicles and light passenger vehicles is being allowed under strict regulation.

Kangpokpi SP will monitor the traffic on the road from Sapermeina to Koubri Leikha until another route is arranged.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Saitu-Gamphaizol will coordinate the works on site and an NHIDCL team will be stationed to repair the bridge and arrange another route.

The bomb squad from Assam Rifles also inspected the site of the explosion in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, KSO Sadar Hill, in a press release, condemned the blast and attempt to intimidate the innocent Kuki people.

The student body cautioned that if any individual, who is able to move freely through the Kuki area, is found to be involved, the free movement would be restricted.

It then appealed to the authority concerned to take strict action on the matter.

Saparmeina Area Villages Organisation (SAVO), United Saparmeina Youth Club (USYC), and Saparmeina Area Women's Union (SAWU) also expressed outrage over the bomb blast on the crucial bridge in Saparmeina area.

The bodies stated that the bridge was damaged by unknown perpetrators in a cowardly act and vehemently condemned the violence as attack on civilian infrastructure.

"In the face of such senseless brutality, we urge our community to remain vigilant and united.

Together, we can resist and overcome such acts of violence," it added.

The bodies further stated that they will not accept liability for individuals associated with the explosion.

Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills also condemned the blast in the strongest term.

CoTU Media Cell coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen said that the Asian Highway is not only lifeline of the Kuki community but all communities residing in the district.

He also said that during such a critical juncture, an incident like this to disrupt supply of essentials commodities in the area is "disservice" to all communities.

He affirmed that the Committee will not stand for such acts of violence but vehemently oppose them.

Condemning the explosion, Kuki Women Union, Sadar Hills lamented that a Cowardly and reprehensible act has caused devastation and heartache to women and children.

It also stated such acts of violence have no place in any society and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

It may be mentioned here that since the conflict began on May 3 last year, Kuki militants detonated a powerful car bomb on June 21 around 7.10 pm at the RCC bridge in Kwakta Ward no 7 between Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta, leaving four including a child injured, significant damages to nearby houses and the bridge itself.

In this regard, NIA conducted an investigation and arrested Seiminlun Gangte alias Minlun, who planned the blast, and Md Noor Hussain alias Tomba alias Md Noor Hassan, who parked the car atop the bridge.

Chargesheets have already been filed against the duo.

In another incident, Kuki militants carried out an attack on five vehicles including oil tankers, and bullet tankers (LPFG carriers) near Tolen village along NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) on April 16 this year.

The incident left one truck driver injured with a gunshot wound to his right leg.

On April 19, Kuki militants detonated a bomb at the base of a 400KV transmission line in Kotlen under Keithelmanbi PS around 3.30 pm, in an attempt to destroy the tower.

However, the tower managed to Survive with some minute damages.

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