In a heart-rending incident, three persons, who were apparently hungry owing to prevalent drought conditions in Marathwada region in the state, allegedly abducted a farmer for food in Ghatambri village of the district, police said today.

Sudam Suradkar, was on Sunday abducted by the accused, who snatched his tiffin box, ate the food and called up his relatives, asking them to send more food, Assistant Police Inspector (API) Shankar Shinde said.

The abductors warned the relatives that they would not set Suradkar free unless they comply, he said, adding that they released him after the relatives provided the food.

The API further said that the tiffin box contained food that was insufficient for the miscreants, who were three in number, due to which they committed the offence.

A combing operation has been launched in this connection, Superintendent of Police (SP) Navinchandra Reddy said.