Bagaha, Jan. 6: A branch manager and a peon of a rural bank are missing since Tuesday. Police are concerned that the senior bank officer, suffering from kidney complications, might be in a critical condition because of non-medication.

North Bihar Gramin Bank Valmikinagar branch manager Uttam Chandra Choudhary and peon Raja Ram Prasad went missing on their way to Bettiah. The police yesterday claimed the two might have been abducted for ransom, though his family is yet to receive any call for payment. Choudhary underwent a kidney transplant in 2003, and is under regular medication.

His wife Bhagwati Devi said Choudhary, accompanied by Prasad, was scheduled to go to Bettiah on January 3, but he did not contact her before leaving. The next afternoon, residents of Kataya village found Choudhary’s motorbike. Laukaria police station was informed soon.

Bagaha superintendent of police Anil Kumar Singh told The Telegraph: “We suspect it is a case of abduction for ransom. We are conducting exhaustive raids, and are confident that we will be able to rescue the missing persons soon.

“We are very concerned about Choudhary’s health. He requires regular medication for his kidney problems. We hope to rescue him before anything untoward happens.”

The SP added that this was the first incident of abduction in recent times.

Bagaha resident, however, claimed that some criminals like Rajendra Choudhary, Chuman Yadav, Harihar Choudhary and Rambhu Choudhary are active in and around Valmikinagar, Govardhana, Gobarahiya, Chiutaha, Semra and Laukariya.

“They have been collecting levy from traders and bus-inessmen,” said a resident.

North Bihar Gramin Bank, Bettiah, branch manager Mani Bhushan Prasad is camping at Valmikinagar to track the development in the case. He told The Telegraph: “Five to six employees of the bank are on constant move. They are trying to track Choudhary and deliver the medicines to him.”

Asked if he would approach the chief minister to step up the search operations, Mani Bhushan said: “The police are doing their best to ensure Choudhary’s safe recovery. The matter has been reported in the media. So, the chief minister and the whole government machinery are well acquainted with the fact.” The bank’s Muzaffarpur general manager Rameshwar Choudhary has also visited Valmikinagar.