Imphal, June 12 2009: Contractor Yengkhom Krishnadas (42) who was reportedly abducted by some unidentified persons armed with guns and swords from his wife's place at Thangmeiband Khomdram Selungba Leikai on the night of June 10 was found brutally murdered near Lilong Chingjao Water Supply Scheme in Thoubal District early morning today.

The JAC formed against the killing has announced an indefinite Manipur bandh with immediate effect.

A resident of Kakching Sumak Leikai, Krishnadas was staying at his wife's place.

It has also come to light that Krishnadas had been abducted in connection with a demand of Rs 3 crores and he had been done to death even after paying Rs 25 lakhs.

After the local people of Lilong Chingjao area reported about a body lying there, police picked up the same and deposited it at RIMS mortuary.

Later on it was identified as that of Krishnadas.

A large number of people were staging Wakat Meepham at Kakching appealing for safe release of Krishnadas when they received the news of his death.

It infuriated the agitators and led to an upheaval in Kakching and its surrounding areas.

To exert pressure for his safe release, a Joint Action Committee had also been formed during a public meeting held at Kakching earlier during the day.

However, after the news of his death, the JAC has decided not to take back the body until punishment of the killers.

According Ramdas (36), younger brother of Krishnadas, yesterday morning the abductors had passed on the information to the family members that Krishnadas would be released if Rs 3 crores is paid.

After several rounds of negotiation, the amount was finally agreed at Rs 25 lakhs.

Subsequently, as directed the same amount had been handed over to a house at Tera Sapam Leirak.

Although the abductors had telephoned to the family members that Krishnadas would be set free at Nongmaiching foothills and they waited till late night at Yaralpat side, nobody came, Ramdas informed. Quoting the family member who had gone to hand over the amount and had telephonic conversation with Krishnadas, Ramdas said his elder brother had pleaded for saving his life saying his leg would become decompose if he has to spend another day and he his head also been hacked with a machete.

There were wounds probably made by some pointed weapons on his head.

Krishnadas left behind his wife Bimola and a 2-year old daughter.

Meanwhile, Thoubal District United Women's Development Organisation has strongly condemned the killing of Krishnadas after being abducted. In a statement, general secretary of the apex body for women of Thoubal district Sapam (O) Bimola denounced the killing as an act of terrorism and said her organisation would extend its full support to the future course of agitation to be launched in this regard.

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