PBCP operatives are frequently sending death threats to physicians and fish traders in case of failure to pay tolls, sources said.

Three wholesalers on PBCP (Janajuddha) hit-list have already paid tolls to save their lives, intelligence sources said.

Six eminent physicians of the city threatened with death for toll include a female gynaecologist. She and two other physicians have already decided to leave Khulna for security reasons.

A renowned homeopath has stopped his practice after PBCP operatives told him to pay two lakh taka or ready for death.

Two shrimp exporters and four wholesalers of rice said they are gradually winding up their business to save themselves.

Two white fish traders are now moving with private security guards.

Increasing death threats and silent toll collection will ultimately force businessmen to wind up, Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry president said.

Admitting death threats by outlaws, Akbar Ali, Khulna Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner of south zone said people who receive such threats do not want to cooperate with police to trap and nab the outlaws.

"We cannot go into action without any circumstantial evidence or written allegation," he added.

"There is no reason to be panicked any more as eighty percent of terrorists have been killed in crossfire in recent months," he said.

"Our efforts to make the south-west region fully free from extremists is going on," said Khulna range DIG of police.