Imphal, January 03: Identity of the person found shot dead and abandoned at Kakmai area (Malom Lamkhai) under yairipok police station yesterday has been established as one Moirangthem Indrasen.

Indrasen (50) of Samurou Mayai Leikai was the president of Indo-Myanmar Friendship Tourist Centre and is informed to have contested election from Wabagai Assembly Constituency for three terms but without success.

He contested the previous elections on a CPI ticket before shifting allegiance to the BJP.

Indrasen is also said to be a business man mostly dealing in timber trade procured from Moreh side.

According to sources, he along with business partners Ayo Tangkhul (45) of Dimapur and Huidrom Sarat of Yumnam Huidrom in a Maruti Van driven by one Siva had escorted a timber consignment from Moreh side till pallel Forest Gate on December 21 evening (about 6 pm).

Ayo is the owner of the vehicle.

While the others had disembarked with Indrasen alone in the vehicle at pallel Bazar some unidentified armed persons whisked away the businessman. The same night a caller telephoned Indrasen's residence and after identifying himself as PULF activist demanded Rs 6 crore be paid in exchange of the 50 year-old which was later negotiated to Rs one crore, said family sources.

On the other hand, Ayo, Siva and Sarat, who later tried to secure Indrasen's release were also taken into custody by the proclaimed PULF activists.

Even though whereabouts of the trio still remain uncertain source conveyed of the armed men slapping a demand of Rs 20 lakhs against Ayo, too. Indrasen's body recovered yesterday was found with gunshot wounds on the left check and side temple.

On completion of post-mortem at Lilong PHC this afternoon family members, relatives and several number of Samurou public carried Indrasen's body in front of the CM's official residence before being placed at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of the BJP.

In the BJP office, State vice president Hangkhalal Thango wrapped the body with the party's flag and offered floral tribute followed by a two minutes silence. From there ritual procession were taken out in a convoy of vehicles till the victim's Samurou residence where the last rites were performed.

Protesting the killing, traffic was disrupted momentarily at certain section of Mayai lambi area by agitated locals who denounced the killing for ransom.

Body cremated : last rites of one Lalan Yadav (40) have been performed near his rented quarter in Nongpok Sekmai today.

Lalan, informed to be betel leaf trader was found dead yesterday with a bullet wound on the head in between Salungpham and Ukhongshang villages, which is located under Yairipok police station.

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