Bee expert kidnapped by Assam rebels

CHAKDAH (Nadia): An apiculture (beekeeping) expert from Chakdah in Nadia was abducted by suspected separatists of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) from a village near Kokrajhar in Assam on October 25.
His abductors initially demanded a ransom of Rs 80 lakh for his release. On Sunday, the demand was scaled down to Rs 20 lakh. But, the abductors did not get in touch with the apiculturist’s family after that.
Tapan Kumar Kha (50), a resident of Boro Kazipara in Chakdah, works with an NGO called Lutheral World Service India Trust. As part of his job, Kha used to train villagers in Kokrajhar in beekeeping. He was on his way back after training villagers near Kokrajhar when the abductors took him hostage.
Officials of the NGO have lodged a complaint with Serfanguri police station in Kokrajhar.
“An FIR has been lodged and we are doing our best to trace him,” said Surjit Singh Panesar, SP, Kokrajhar.