Imphal: The Manipur government Wednesday announced a complete stoppage of all kinds of heavy vehicular traffic between Sapereina and Koubru Leika along the national highway no. 2 under Kangpokpi district.
The announcement comes after an IED explosion which partially damaged a bridge along the highway in the wee hours of Wednesday and Tuesday.
The blast occurred on the bridge between Sapermeina and Koubru Leikha which is a Kuki-Zo-dominated area, an officer said, adding that no casualties were reported so far in the improvised explosive device (IED) blast.
All heavy vehicular traffic will be banned with immediate effect, till further orders, to avoid any untoward incident and to ensure the safety of the general public and commuters, an order issued by Mahesh Chaudhari, District Magaist, Kangpokpi district, said on Wednesday.
The notification further noted that lighter passenger vehicles may pass through under strict regulation for the moment. Superintendent of Police, Kangpoki shall regulate the traffic from Sapermeina and Koubru Leikha until an alternate route work is completed.
While the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Saitu-Gamphazol will be stationed at the location for the overall coordination, NHIDCL will depute a team for the restoration or alternate route work, the officer added in his notification.
Three craters and cracks on both ends of the bridge were noticed, the officer said.
The IED explosion occurred hours after gunfights broke out between village volunteers of the two warring communities in Imphal West district. With agency inputs
