NH 39 blocked in Manipur due to bomb scare

Imphal, Dec 4: The National Highway 39, from Imphal to Moreh, in between Wangjing and Khongjom at Thoubal district of Manipur, was today blocked for about five hours following a bomb scare.

Police said a suspicious material was detected on the highway early this morning, following which, a bomb disposal squad from Imphal was rushed to the spot.

However, the bomb squad inspected the entire area for about two hours and later ruled out the possibility of any threat and the traffic flow was restored, police added.

The incident was the third such occurrence this week when the traffic had to be stopped as a precautionary measure.

Large numbers of security personnel had been pressed into service on all the major roads of the state owing to the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

The state government had also extended the Disturbed Area Status for Manipur another one year from December onwards.

Besides, only two-wheelers were being allowed to enter the busy Khwairamband Keithel, the main market at Imphal, as a security measure.

Recently, a bomb blast had occurred at the Paona bazaar here in which a man had died and four persons sustained serious injuries.

UNI