A bridge on National Highway 2 in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, an area affected by ethnic violence, was partially damaged in an IED explosion early Wednesday morning. The blast disrupted traffic movement in the area.
The explosion occurred on the bridge between Sapermeina and Koubru Leikha areas around 12:45 am. No casualties were reported in the improvised explosive device (IED) blast.
The blast caused three craters and cracks on both ends of the bridge. Movement of heavy vehicles has been stopped on the bridge, which connects Manipur's capital Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur.
Police personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the bridge after the explosion. An investigation into the IED blast has been initiated.
The IED explosion occurred hours after gunfights broke out between village volunteers of the two warring communities in Imphal West district.
Over 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjacent hills-based Kukis since May last year.