One factory -- Al Kashem and Fuji Corporation (BD) Ltd.-- a joint venture with Japan, is closed for about a month following threats from extortionists, sources said.

Chinese company YONG TAI lets its workers leave by 5 pm instead of 8 pm to allow them reach home safe, its General Manager Lt. Col. (rtd) Kibria said.

Complaints of hijacking were made by officials of some other companies including S Q Metal Industries Ltd. and D & S MODE (BD) Ltd. They have demanded adequate security in the EPZ area.

"We are under the grip of hijackers", said Kim Bok Won, Factory Manager of Korean company D & S MODE.

He said employees of is factory can not move freely in the area outside the EPZ.

"We will not invest more if this situation continues", he said.

Its Manager said he was also attacked by hijackers on way to factory. He filed two cases with Kotwali thana, but to no effect, he alleged.

Sources said a 60-member security force is engaged to ensure security in the EPZ area. Eighteen security personnel are supposed to be on duty during daytime and 19 at night.

But during a recent visit, only six security men were seen at the EPZ gate during daytime.

Though entry is restricted for outsiders, it was free for all. There was virtually no restriction. Individuals and groups were entering and coming out almost freely without any check.

This correspondent wanted to talk to the security-in-charge, Fazlur Rahman. But he declined to talk.

He said he would not talk without the authorities' permission. "I a not bound to talk (to you)", he said.

But the Town Sub-inspector, SI Ibrahim Khalil, told a different story. He claimed that some employees have secret relation with hijackers.

Most of the hijackers are from the area. They are tipped-off by the employees and so police raid to nab them fails, he said.

When contacted, a high official of the EPZ seeking anonymity however said, "Some unhappy incidents took place in the past but the situation is good now"

Asked about the closed factory (Al Kashem and Fuji Corporation (BD), he said, "It is closed for lack of funds. It will resume production within two months".

On April 27, Abdul Halim, an official of a plastic company, was beaten for toll near the EPZ gate, it was gathered.

On 8 April, a gang of 10 hijackers attacked Alamgir Hossain, Administrative Officer of S & D Mode, at Tomson Bridge bus stand near the EPZ. He was rescued by an influential local man after three hours, sources said.

On March 20, a group of extortionists attacked Kamal, Fitting-in-Charge of D & S company, when he was returning home.

They barricaded the road near the EPZ, stabbed him and snatched his watch and money. He was treated at Comilla Medical Collage Hospital.

Five industrial units are now in production, but their activities are hampered for the law and order situation, sources claimed.

The EPZ, situated in the old airport area, attracted local and foreign investors within a short time because of its excellent road links with Chittagong port and Dhaka. It is about three hours' journey to the port and two hours' journey to Dhaka.

Since its inception in 2001, goods worth about Tk 20 were exported form the EPZ till June this year.

When fully operational, the EPZ will create employment for 60,000 people.

There are 208 plots covering 258 acres of land, 133 acres government land and 125 acres acquired.

Forty-nine plots have been allotted to 15 units, five of them in production now. Of the five, two are Bangladeshi companies, one South Korean and two are joint ventures with China and Japan. They produce knitwear, garments and electric good.

The rest ten were allotted to investors including those from Japan, France and Germany.

Another 131 plots are expected to be completed this year, sources there said.

By the year 2006, all the plots will be occupied by investors, they hoped.

All infrastructure facilities are almost complete at a cost of Tk 105 core. Electricity, gas and water have been supplied to 72 residential plots.