Hardened outlaws cut through Spider Web

On the other hand, 19 people were killed by outlaws till August 5 since the Operation Spider Web by the joint forces began on July 18, sources said. Six of the killings took place in Kushtia district.

At least 50 ringleaders with nearly 10,000 cadres of the parties are active in this region, they said.

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There is no ringleader of any outlawed party among the 52 "notorious criminals" nabbed during the ongoing drive, sources claimed. They also evaded arrest during the 48-day Operation Clean Heart, launched on October 17 last year.

Police however claimed that they detained 65 "outlaws" till Saturday.

The sources claimed that the ringleaders maintain close links with a section of police officials and get prior information about raids.

They have also good relations with some political leaders who use them for various purposes including election, establishing supremacy in certain areas or to kill opponents.

The seven outlawed parties are Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP), newly floated PBCP Jono Juddho, Bipplobi Communist Party (BCP), Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF), Gono Bahini, New Bipplobi Communist Party (NBCP) and Sarbahara Party.

The sources also expressed doubt about the lists of wanted outlaws, prepared by police. Many of them are not on the lists, they claimed.

According to a source in Kushtia police, one Akdil Hosain of NBCP, who is "in charge of three districts" is on a list of "ordinary criminals", prepared by Kushtia police. He was given life term in absentia by Kushtia court in two murder.