A wooden bridge connecting at least five villages along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya's South West Khasi Hills district was today set abalze by unidentified persons, officials said.
The timber bridge near Phodkroh connecting the five villages with Mawkyrwat, the district headquarter, was set ablaze at around 10 AM, district Deputy Commissioner Ripnar Lyngdoh told PTI.
The district administration has deputed magistrate Raja Brahma to the spot to inquire into the incident, she said.
According to the police, the matter was reported by villagers two hours after the incident.
Fire fighting teams of the police stationed at Ranikor border town was rushed to the spot.
Even as the fire was doused, the bridge could not be saved, SP Debangshu Sangma said.
Sangma said a case was registered after an FIR was lodged by the Public Works Department engineer in charge.
The district administration has arranged for an alternative route using the border road used by the Border Security Force, Lyngdoh said.
The bridge was about 2 km away from the International border.
