Case of kidnap and killing of contractor Krishnadas
Police nab one woman
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 13 2009: A team of Imphal West district police commando led by OC, Th Krishnatombi succeeded in entrapping a woman who had collected the package of Rs 25 lakh from the wife of the slain contractor, Yengkhom Krishnadas as ransom for his safe release from the clutch of his kidnappers.

Seram Ongbi Ashalata (39), wife of Seram Ramchandra of Sayang Road Konthoujam Leikai, was arrested yesterday.

She is said to have been running a rice hotel under the name of "Junction Hotel" at Keishampat Ahei-bam Leikai (Churachandpur Bus Parking) since last few years.

Mother of slain Krishnadas cries her heart out during a protest

Imphal Police Station has registered an FIR No.188 (6) 09 against her under IPC Section 364/364 A, 457/34,25 (1-B).She was produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal Dr Shantibala and was remanded in police custody till June 19.A police officer who requested anonymity informed this newspaper that a group of four women including Bimola, wife of the slain contractor, had handed over the amount of Rs 25 lakh to one Seram (O) Ashalata.

The amount was handed over to the woman at a place near 'EMA' Church located at Tera Keithel around 5pm on June 11.The accused woman has also admitted that she received the money.

She revealed that she was accompanied by a four-year-old child, the daughter of a distant relative of her husband, Ramchandra, while going to receive the ransom amount.

The police source further claimed to have established that the child was a daughter of one, Ibochou of Sayang Konthoujam Leikai.

Ashalata is said to have revealed that the huge amount which she bundled inside a shopping bag was handed over two men who came on a Nova Scooter.

However, the source refused to divulge as to which underground groups the two men belong.

The police interrogation is going on and all out efforts have been made to net all involved persons in the incident.

Meanwhile, a source said that, based on the information provided by the relatives of Krishnadas on the description of the woman who received the ransom amount and the child she accompanied, the OC of Imphal West police commando Krishnatombi sought the help of the locals near EMA Church at Tera Keithel.

The locals, who came to know the situation and were pitied by the incident, had provided clues which help the police later in the arrest of Ashalata.

At the same time, the indefinite general strike called by the JAC against the brutal killing of Yengkhom Krishnadas has thrown normal life out of gear in Kakching.

Report of some vehicles being destroyed has been received while thousands of people staged a sit in protest at Kakching Bazar today.

However, the strike was reported to have less impact in Imphal and other districts of the state.

Vehicles, including passenger buses were seen plying on the road as normal day.

Shops at Khawairamband bazaar were opened as usual business.

The strike is also reportedly not effective in Thoubal district barring Kakching and its surrounding areas.

In the meantime, the JAC against the brutal killing of Yengkhom Krishnadas has appealed to the Chief Minister of the state to book the culprits involved in the murder of Y Krishnadas as soon as possible and give appropriate punishment.

It also stated that the JAC will not claim the dead body until the demands are met.

It further informed that a general meeting of the JAC comprising representatives from all the Civil Organisations of the state will be held at Kakching at 10.30 am on June 14 to discuss on the issue and to chart out further course of agitation.

The statement further urged the state government to act promptly in booking the culprits as soon as possible and punish them in public.