30 families flee homes in Uzirpur

Twenty-five of families are Hindus and five are Muslims. Some of the families have taken shelter at the upazila Sadar.

Hardly any male member is available in Nattanondi, Kamlapur, Robdradi, Terodron and Haua villages as members of Sharbohara party demanded tolls ranging from Tk 20,000 to one lakh from the 30 families.

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Panic gripped the area after outlaws killed one Hiralal Halder, 40, at, Nittanondi village on the night of March 19 for refusing to pay toll.

Even old women were not willing to talk to newsmen during a visit to the area on Sunday.

It was gathered that armed outlaws came to the villages about a month back and demanded toll.

They demanded Tk one lakh each from Kartik Master, Goutom Halder and Suresh Bepari, Tk 50,000 each from Shudhangshu Halder, Jotin Halder, Shukh Ranjan and Madov Halder, Tk 70,000 from Akram Ali and Tk 60,000 from Hashem Ali.

Some of the families paid tolls after negotiation and the rest are fleeing homes.

Some local people alleged that a list of ten outlaws was submitted to police a few days ago but police did not take any action. Hiralal had to die due to police inaction.

They also alleged that armed members of Sharbohara party visit the villages regularly at night after two or three days to show their strength.

When contacted, Barisal Police Superintendent Mohsin Mia said he neither received any complaint nor any list of outlaws.

Additional police force has been sent to the area after the killing of Hiralal and the Additional SP is there, he said.