Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, July 23:
The destruction of the Bailey Bridge over the Namban River in Kamjong district has triggered strong condemnation from Naga civil society organisations, with two prominent bodies alleging that Kuki militant groups were behind the blast and demanding an independent investigation, immediate restoration of the bridge and criminal action against those responsible.
The Khanuithot-Khon (Voice of the Naga Youth) and the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), in separate statements, described the bridge blast as a direct attack on civilian infrastructure that has cut off a crucial lifeline linking Kamjong District Headquarters with Sahamphung Sub-Divisional Headquarters through Chatric Khullen and Chatric Khunou villages.
The 130-foot Bailey Bridge, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2016, was reportedly destroyed in a powerful explosion during the adjoining night of July 21-22. The blast caused the bridge to collapse at its midpoint, disrupting one of the few remaining road links between Ukhrul, Kamjong and Imphal at a time when movement along National Highway-202 has remained heavily restricted for months.
Khanuithot-Khon alleged that the bridge was blown up by “Kuki narco-terrorists” with the assistance of personnel of the Assam Rifles at around 10:30 p.m. on July 21. The organisation claimed the Chatric route had become the primary alternative for thousands of residents travelling to hospitals, educational institutions, markets, government offices and workplaces after NH-202 remained accessible only under security escort and during limited hours.
Describing the destruction as an attack on essential civilian infrastructure, the youth body alleged that the incident had further isolated the people of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts and intensified the humanitarian difficulties faced by the region.
Meanwhile, the TNL Working Committee alleged that Kuki militants, acting in collusion with the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), carried out a coordinated bomb attack on the bridge. It further claimed that preliminary spot findings suggested the attackers succeeded in destroying the bridge only after multiple attempts using powerful explosives.
The organisation also alleged that a Bolero vehicle belonging to the Telecom Department, which had reportedly broken down near the bridge, was set ablaze during the attack.
The TNL further claimed that armed Kuki groups operating from villages including Kultuh, Phaikoh and Molnoi, along with members of the KNA-B and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) based across the Indo-Myanmar border, have intensified violent activities in parts of Kamjong district in recent months. According to the organisation, repeated incidents of abduction, killings, arson, vandalism and bomb attacks have created an atmosphere of fear and severely disrupted normal life in the border region.
Both organisations demanded the constitution of an independent or judicial inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding the bridge blast and identify those responsible. They also called for criminal cases to be registered against all individuals found involved, including any security personnel if their involvement is established through investigation.
