Manipur,JIRIBAM, February 26: Even as the authorities were busy with preparations for security cover along the National Highway 37 for the arrival of the Bangladesh China India Myanmar car rally, suspected supporters of the Kuki State Demand Committee took out two iron plates from a bailey bridge at Jiribam which was to be used as part of the route of the rally.
The two iron plates of the iron bridge located near the Laingangpokpi Junior High School along the National Highway 37 on the eastern side pf Jiribam Police Station were found missing this morning and were found thrown into a gorge.
There is also a yet to be inaugurated bridge near the iron bridge. The bridge is flanked by Laingangpokpi of Jiribam Sub Division on the left side and by Faitul and Tutbung Kuki villages in Tousem sub division on the right side.
People from the surrounding areas said that they had heard sounds of vehicles like a Tata truck passing upon the bridge and soon after heard noises which seemed like iron plates were falling into the gorge during dawn.
During the night there was no security around the area, they said and added that VDF, Manipur Police and Manipur Rifles personnel had arrived only in the morning.
The plates which were thrown down the gorge was picked up by around 20/30 individuals including the VDF personnel.
The plates were placed and tied up using binding wires with the help of two BRTF labourers before the arrival of the car rally.
However, the repairing of the bridge was not complete even when the cars were approaching the spot.
The repairing work stopped only after the security personnel present there announced the arrival of the car rally.
