More than 100 families have become hostage to terrorists while dozens left home failing to meet their demand for tolls.

Tire desolate situation has been prevailing al village Dilalpur in Lalpur upazila on Natore for (he last three months. The victims are known supporters of opposition political parties.

Terrorists allegedly under (he wings of the ruling BNP have been demanding tolls ranging from Tk 5,000 toTk 20,000 for each family. In some cases, drey are even asking for the young daughters of those families.

Jalal, 37, Babul, 30 and Rasheda Begum, 50, who have taken shelter in other villages told that they fled home in village Dilalpur failing to meet the demand of "Bhashan Bahini," a terrorist group that allegedly emerged with the change of government.

They said terrorists demanded tolls from many families in the village who were known to have supported Awami League during the October 1 general election in 2001. In case of failure to pay the fixed amount, the terrorists came up with demand for young girls of the family.

None could harvest paddy without paying tolls to Bhashan Bahini, which is active in the area with blessings from ihe ruling party, alleged Jalal, a well-to-do farmer. "Young girls are afraid of coming out of home for fear of the terrorists," he said.

A 70-year-old peasant, Noor Mohammad, was mercilessly beaten for failing to payTk 5,000 to ihe terrorists, said a witness.

The latest victim of the extortionists in the family of Khandaker Nizamuddin. On December 24. Bhashan Bahini demanded Tk 20,000 or Nazmunnahar, a college going daughter of Nizamuddin. Finding the situation) difficult, Nazmun's mother Sayera Begum. 52, agreed to pay, but sought lime.

On Dec 25, she informed the Lalpur police in the morning. Police came, inquired about the complaint and returned in the afternoon.

With the police gone, the terrorists attacked the house of Nizamuddin and looted all available cash and other goods in his absence. When the inmates tried to resist, (he terrorists assaulted Sayera Begum and her two daughters, Shamsunnahar, 22, and Nazmunnahar, and beat them with iron rod. Left wounded, the victims were taken and admitted to (he

hospital.

Sayera Begum told that her husband, Nizamuddin, is a sailor by professing and remains out of home most of the lime. Her eldest son. Hashed, serves in Bangladesh Air Force. Two other sons, Morshed and Bahia, are already away from the village for fear of Bhashan Bahini.

Police admitted the incident and arrested Delbahar in this connection. But the leader of the terrorist group, Bhashan, remainedat large.

Villagers said repression and oppression were not new In the area. Only the ugly hands of oppression change with (he change of government. They suffered almost similar repression during the Awami League rule. Now the sufferers under (he previous regime an raking revenge.

While exchanging views on law and order situation in the area on Dec 28, Police Super Nazrul Islam faced a volley of questions about rhe condition in Dilalpur, I Je said police have launched a strong campaign to mop up the culprits involved in terrorism and extonion.

Local MP and State Minister for Sports Fazlur Rahman Ratal has directed them to arrest terrorist leader Bhashan by any means, added (he police super.