Kamjong, July 22 | EKHON: Bailey Bridge, a vital bridge over the Namban River in Manipur’s Kamjong district was destroyed in a powerful explosion at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, severing the only road link to several remote villages and disrupting the lives of hundreds of residents.
According to village volunteers, a loud blast was heard at approximately 10 p.m. Residents who were trying to cross the bridge at daybreak found the Bailey Bridge extensively damaged, rendering it unusable. No casualties have been reported.
The bridge serves as the principal lifeline for the villages of Chahong, Chatric Khunou and Khullen, providing the only road access to essential services, markets and agricultural land.
Villagers have alleged that the bridge was deliberately blown up by armed Kuki militants, although no group has claimed responsibility.
Stephen LM, (70) Headman of Chahong Khunou, said there are no settlements between Kamjong town and the bridge except Phaimol, a Kuki village that was recently destroyed during the ongoing conflict. Based on his knowledge of the terrain, he believes armed groups could have moved through the hills and riverine forest from the Phaimol area to reach the bridge undetected.
Beyond blaming Kuki militants, some villagers also alleged that the operation could not have been carried out without the involvement or knowledge of the Assam Rifles (AR). They claimed that the incident required expertise and logistical capability beyond that of the Kuki militants alone.
The villagers further alleged that Assam Rifles personnel had been seen in the surrounding area in recent days, leading to suspicions among residents following the blast.
The explosion comes amid continuing tensions and sporadic violence in the Ukhru-Kamjong district along the India-Myanmar border, where several villages have been affected in recent months.
The Namban River (Namban Lok) originates in the forested hills of Kamjong district before flowing eastward into Myanmar, where it eventually joins the Chindwin River. Besides supporting the region’s rich biodiversity, the river is central to the livelihoods of local communities through agriculture, fishing and transportation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Manipur government, police and security agencies had not released any official statement regarding the cause of the explosion or the identity of those responsible.
Editor’s Note: The allegations regarding the involvement of armed Kuki militants and the Assam Rifles are claims made by local villagers and community leaders. However, these claims haven’t been officially verified.
