Police are trying to trace Walter William Rosario, a Christian priest who went missing three days ago in Natore’s Barhaigram.
Published : 30 Nov 2017, 03:17 AM
But they swatted away a claim for ransom as false on Wednesday, a day before Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on a three-day tour.
William, 42, headmaster of St Louis High School, went missing on his way to Jonail village from Bonparha Mission Market on Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday midnight, a person called the family on the phone and claimed the priest was kidnapped, his brother Premal Rosario told bdnews24.com.
Later, the alleged kidnapper demanded Tk 300,000 in ransom, he said.
Police were at their home at the time and scanned the area, where the ‘kidnapper’ wanted the money to be placed, in plainclothes but found no one, Premal said.
The ‘kidnapper’ made no phone call after that, he added.
Bonparha Mission chief Bikash Hubert Rebeiro said they still have confidence in police action.
“We’ve decided to send an around 300-strong delegation to meet the pope on Thursday morning,” he added.
Natore Detective Branch OC Abdul Hye said they tried their best to find the missing priest.
“We hope to find him soon,” he said.
About the ransom claim, he said, “We are investigating all angles. But the phone call demanding ransom seemed false to us.”