Resort owner, two tourists ‘abducted’ in Sundarbans

Police say the trio have been taken from a canal near a forest patrol outpost

Three people, including the owner of a Sundarbans resort, have been abducted by forest bandits in Dakop Upazila of Khulna, police say.

The trio were abducted on Friday from the Kenua canal near the Ghagramari patrol outpost under the Chandpai Range, Dakop Police chief Md Atikur Rahman said.

The abductees are Gol Kanon Eco Resort owner Sripati Bachhar and two tourists, Md Sohel and Johnny, idenfied with a single name.

Police said six people had entered the Sundarbans canals on a small dinghy on Friday afternoon for a tour. Shortly after, a group of forest bandits intercepted the boat and took control of it.

Two female visitors and a resort staff member were reportedly beaten before being released, while the other three were forced away.

The captors have since demanded ransom. A coordinated search involving police, River Police and the Coast Guard is under way to secure their return.