Abductors demand Rs 20 lakh for release of apiculture

Family members of an apiculture (bee keeping) expert of Nadia district who has been abducted in Assam said the abductors have demanded ransom for his release.
Tapan Kumar Kha, a resident of Baro Kajipara in Nadia's Chakdaha area was abducted by suspected of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants on October 25 from Kokrajhar district in Assam.
The abductors had demanded a ransom of Rs 80 lakh at first on October 28. Later they brought the ransom amount down to Rs 20 lakh four days back, Parul the wife of Kha said.
"From the very beginning we told the abductors that we are very poor and unable to pay the ransom amount demanded by them. Since the last conversation, still there is no message from them, Parul said.

Local police officials went to Kha's home today.
Superintendent of Police of Nadia, Arnab Ghosh said "we have talked to the family members of Kha and keeping contact with them constantly. We are doing as needed in the issue."
Kha works with NGO Lutheral World Service India Trust. He went to Assam about three months back on a contract of six month to train the villagers in Kokrajhar in beekeeping.
Swapan Sen, neighbour cum another beekeeper said "He (Kha) was possibly abducted during return from Shantipur village under Sherthanguri police station in Kokrajhar.