16 top outlaws still run parties in four south-western dists

Sixteen out of 20 top outlaws in Chuadanga are yet to be netted though the government announced bounties up to Tk 5 lakh for their arrest two years ago.
Four of the 20 were killed in 'crossfire' by law enforcers in last two years.
Several joint combing operations by law enforcers including elite anti-crime force Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) were launched at different times but showed little success.
The government on October 23, 2005 announced bounties varying from Tk 20, 000 to Tk five lakh for information leading to arrest of the hardened outlaws who created a reign of terror in Chuadanga, Meherpur, Kushtia and Jhenidah districts for long.
All are still evading arrest. Some of them are still controlling party activities staying in hideouts in their respective areas or in a neighbouring country, sources said.
They also collect toll from businessmen, contractors and through grass-roots cadres.
The wanted hardcore outlaws include Abdur Rashid Malitha alias Tapan Malitha alias Dada Tapan, Shajahan, Azad, Thandu, Amirul, Habibur alias Oltu, Mizanur alias Major, Rabiul, Mozammel alias Moka, Sahidul, Khorsed, Tomsel and Kismat.
Four of the outlaws were killed in 'crossfire' with police and Rab in Chuadanga. They were Shomser alias Sama, Abir Hsan, Jamall Uddin alias Habi alias Nuruzzaan and Rony Biswas.
A bounty of Tk 5 lakh was declared for arrest of Tapan Malitha and Tk one lakh each for Abir Hasan and Rony. Others carry bounties varying from Tk 20, 000 to Tk 50, 000.
Abir Hasan, 'military chief' of outlawed Janajuddho, one of the factions of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML), was killed along with an accomplice in a 'shootout' with Rab on October 25 last year in a Kushtia village.
Jamal Uddin, acting chief of PBCP-ML in Khulna division, was killed in a 'crossfire' with Rab on June 17 in Chuadanga. Jamal was conducting PBCP activities after the death of its chief and founder Mofakkar Hossain in 'crossfire' in 2005.
Sama, 'regional leader' of PBCP-ML, was killed in February 12 last year and Rony, chief of another faction of PBCP-ML, was killed in a 'crossfire with Rab in January this year in Alamdanga village in Chuadanga.
Sources in different areas of Chuadanga claimed that despite vigilance by law enforcers, the outlaws are still conducting party activities from their hideouts.
Some top leaders of the outlaws wanted in murder cases are often seen in Alamdanga, sources there claimed.
Hatboalia, Atharo Khada, Bhangbaria, Asmankhali, Enayetput, Hardi, Polkadanga and Jadabpur areas in Alamdanga upazila; Lonathpur and Swandeshpur in Damurhuda upazila and Munshiganj and Kodakhali in Chuadanga Sadar upazila are frequented by outlaws, they claimed.
Chuadanga police sources however said they have contained outlaws and crimes including murder have declined in the district. Only two murders were committed in the district last month, they said.
"Law enforcers are trying to net the criminals and we hope success," Chuadanga police superintendent said when contacted.
According to law enforcing agencies, at least 14 outlawed parties are active in the four districts. They have about 1000 illegal firearms. These are five factions of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP), PBCP-ML, PBCP-Janajuddho, PBCP-red flag, PBCP-Communist War and PBCP New Lal Juddho, Lal Pataka (red flag), Bipplobi Communist Party (BCP), New Bipplobi Communist Party (NBCP), Banglar Communist Party (BCP-Laltu), Gono Mukti Fouj (GMF) and Gono Bahini (GB), Socialist Party (SP), Biplobi Anuragi, and Chhinnomul Communist Party (CCP).
Together, they have about 2000 cadres possessing about 1000 illegal arms, the sources said.
About 100 alleged outlaws were killed in the districts since June 2004, the sources said.