Terrors back in guise of poll campaigners

Terrors and extortionists who went into hiding after declaration of the state of emergency are returning to the capital and taking part in election campaigns besides criminal activities along with their accomplices in most city areas.
Locals and traders in different areas of the city said the criminals are now busy re-establishing their network of criminal activities and setting up dens in the name of party offices.
In the guise of political activists they are putting up signboards of offices of different political parties in the industrial and commercial areas, slums and wholesale markets in the city, they alleged.
In the last few days, extortionists put up at least seven such signboards of different political parties in the fish and kitchen market areas of Karwan Bazar.
Two signboards of the AL and BNP can be seen in front of the Janata Tower. Three more signboards of the AL have been put up at gate-1 and at north side of the market and in Christianpara. Another two signboards of Muktijoddha Jubo Command and Jatiya Party can also be seen in the market.
Traders said most signboards have been put up without any structures. But extortionists will soon set up clubhouses in the name of party offices evicting targeted traders, they said, adding that such clubhouses were used for toll collecting, torturing victims and taking drugs before the 1/11 changeover. The joint forces demolished all the clubhouses after declaration of the state of emergency.
The traders said a few notorious gang leaders and their accomplices now often gather at different points of Karwan Bazar kitchen market in the dead of night and have even asked tolls from some businessmen.
Fish traders said "Bhagina" Liton, Monwara, Taher, Jahangir, Munna and Dulal of Sobhan-Selim gang are often seen in the area at night. Monwara who is an aunt of Sobhan-Selim is a notorious drug dealer, they said, adding that these criminals generally collect tolls but they also kill people on payment.
"Lungi" Badol and Bhuttu, accomplices of slain top terror "Pichchi" Hannan, are also seen at different points in the market as is seen their rival Saidul, they said.
Locals of Tejgaon industrial area said extortionists demolished a tea stall in Begunbari area and started to set up a makeshift office of the BNP. At least seven such clubhouses of activists of different political parties have been set up so far in the area, they added.
These criminals are also taking part in election rallies, processions and door-to-door visits to seek vote for the candidates of their parties.
A high official of Detective Branch said they have not yet received any complaint about gathering of criminals but would look into the matter.
When contacted, Mirpur zone Deputy Commissioner Anwar Hossain said, "We will catch the listed criminals whenever we spot them or get information about them.”