THOUBAL, April 26: Kshetrimayum Nillamni Devi, 68, wife of (L) Ksh Gopalmacha Singh of Sugnu Ward No I Teren Mapal used to run a hotel at Sugnu Keithel.
Last night around 8, on reaching the foot of the bridge built upon Imphal River on her way back from her hotel, unidentified persons stabbed her on her back.
The area is a dimly lit, scarcely populated and deserted area.
Someone in the vicinity who had heard her screams called some locals and went to check and found her lying dead on her face with a knife on her back.
Soon after, the Sugnu Police picked up the body and took it away from post mortem. The police have also arrested a suspect.
Decrying the inhumane incident, people blocked the road, closed down Sugnu Keithel and held a public meeting.
During the meeting a JAC was formed with 11 members and Sugnu Municipal Council, Ward No I councillor Th Leinou Devi as the convenor.
The JAC further resolved to demand befitting punishment if the arrested suspect is found guilty of the crime and if the suspect turns out to be innocent then the police should arrest the culprits at the earliest.
Meanwhile, as the meeting was going on, Thoubal SP arrived and while assuring to arrest the culprits at the earliest, appealed to the people to accept the body and to conduct her last rites.
The police officer also appealed to lift the road block and to open the bazar.
Around 2pm after discussing the assurances of the police officer, the public decided to lift the road block, open the bazar and to accept the body.