Outlawed parties in the country's southwestern region are regrouping with a 'seven point programme' to 'retaliate action by law enforcers' and increase their strength.
Leaders of Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML), the oldest and most powerful outlawed party, announced the programme at a meeting of the parties held in Jhenidah late last month, according to sources. The called for unity of all outlawed parties to launch 'action programme' immediately.
The programme includes bomb attack on law enforcers, educational institutions, passenger transports and important places in ten districts of the region, realisation of toll from businessmen, distribution of leaflets, recruiting new cadres, 'removing class enemies' and to avenge killing of party cadres in 'crossfire'.
In last one week outlaws blasted nine bombs, killed 10 people and demanded toll from many businessmen and in the area.
A high police official was also threatened with death for his actions against outlaws, the sources claimed.
The police official is under security blanket, the sources said declining to elaborate.
The latest killing took place in Meherpur Sadar upazila on Saturday last in which Janajuddho, one of the factions of PBCP-ML, slaughtered one its rival party cadres at Shailmari village for allegedly betraying with the party.
The latest bomb blast took place at Badarganj village in Chuadanga Sadar upazila on Wednesday in which two Madrsha teachers and a businessman were injured. One Rajib, introducing himself as a Janajuddho leader, claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.
Some businessmen in the region seeking anonymity told this correspondent that outlaws wee demanding toll from them over phone or sending 'slips'. Some of them negotiated by paying money.
Some sources including intelligence personnel said the latest programme of outlawed parties, particularly in southwestern region, is a desperate move to save themselves after drives launched by law enforcers.
In a faxed message sent to Khulna Press Club and to some journalists last week, PBCP leaders said they want to recover their 'lost glory of struggle to establish a classless society'.
At least 483 alleged outlaws and criminals were killed in the 10 districts in 'crossfire' with police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) since June 2004. Those killed included some top leaders and important cadres.
The parties are now recruiting cadres.
Outlawed parties are also distributing leaflets calling upon people to support them to establish a 'socialist state'.
On January 19, police arrested a PBCP-ML cadre in Chuadanga with posters. On January 22, PBCP distributed leaflets in several areas in Jessore, Meherpur and Jhenidah. Earlier, on December 15, police arrested a government employee while he was pasting PBCP posters in Chuadanga.
They are also holding secret meetings.
At these meetings, the leaders advise their cadres to save their life, even by joining hands with political parties.
According to the sources, a good number of outlaws have joined Awami League, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the region and they are working with political parties as their activists.
High police officials also said use of outlaws during election in southwestern region is an old practice.
Outlaws' activities declined in the later part of last year but increased since January.
A high police official in Khulna, when contacted, however claimed that outlawed parties do not have strength to their activities in a big way as their backbone has been broken.
At least 13 outlawed parties with about 5,000 cadres are active in the region and their cadres have several thousand firearms in their possession. The parties are four factions of PBCP-ML, Gono Bahini (GB), Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF), Banglar Communist Party, Socialist Party (SP), Biplobi Anuragi, Chinnamu Communist Party (CCP) and Sharbahara People's March.