The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has invited fresh tenders following surrender of work by contractors in face of threats by armed extortionists belonging to both the anti-peace accord United Peoples' Democratic Front (UPDF) and the pro-peace accord Parbattya Chattagram Jono Sangahaty Samity (PCJSS).

Selected contractors were given work order for road repairing in Naniarchar and Borkol upazilas and construction work of bridge and culvert in Baghaichhari upazila.

'Previously we had to pay illegal toll to Shantibahini only, but after the peace deal we have to pay both the anti-peace and pro-peace parties,' a contractor told this correspondent on condition of anonymity.

However, the district officials in the LGED including the assistant engineer declined to comment on rising extortion. When asked by this correspondent, the officials of CHT Development Board, Department of Education Engineering and Hill District Council also declined to make any comment.