Imphal, June 13 2009: In connection with the killing of contractor Yengkhom Krishnadas, police have arrested a woman, though a man who was arrested earlier has been released.

Originally from Kakching Sumak Leikai, 42-year old Krishnadas was abducted by some armed persons from the house of his wife at Thangmeiband Khomdram Selungba Leikai on June 10 night and his body found at Lilong Chingjao yesterday morning.

In connection with this incident of abduction and subsequent killing of the contractor over a ransom demand of Rs 2 crores, police arrested Seram Ashalata Devi (36) w/o Ramchandra of Tera Sayang Lambi Konjengbam Leikai from a hotel at Keishampat yesterday.

Ashalata was produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal today and later remanded to police custody for 7 days.

Police have charged that Ashalata was involved in collection of the ransom amount of Rs 25 lakhs that the family members of Krishnadas claimed to have handed over to a house at Tera Sapam Leirak near Ibudhou Khaba Laibung for securing his safe release after negotiation with the armed abductors.

Based on statements of family members of the deceased contractor, police had earlier picked up a 43-year old man identified as Moirangthem Ibochouba s/o Angangyaima of Tera Sapam Leirak, a physically handicapped man.

However, police released him after interrogation as he was found to be innocent.

Talking to mediapersons, Ibochouba said police may have arrested him as they (police) were informed that a physically handicapped man and a woman with child were present at the time of exchanging the ransom amount.

However, he was not related to abduction or killing of Krishnadas at all.

Ibochouba further informed that Ashalata, who is now in police custody had come to his house in the afternoon of June 11 and had even offered Frooti to his daughter.

But he does not have any idea whether she was involved in collection of the ransom demand or not.

On the other hand, reacting strongly to the news report that the ransom amount had been exchanged at a house in Tera Sapam Leirak, people of the locality have asserted that it may have been done at some secluded area and not in a house.

Nonetheless, if any house or local people were found involved in such activities, they would not be spared, the local residents have warned.

Meanwhile, Youth Volunteers' Association, Pallel and Chingjao Nungei Ching Development Association, Lilong have strongly condemned the killing of contractor Krishnadas after being abducted for ransom.