"The BNP cadres first grabbed our lands and set up a madrasa for girls there. We could not protest in fear of further attack and repression. Finally, they ousted us from our homes. Now we have no shelter and are passing our days like homeless people," said Kulbhushan Kangsha Banik, one of the victims, at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city.

He also alleged that the cadres have taken signatures of the victims on false land deeds at gunpoint before ousting them from their homes two month ago.

Kulbhushan said the BNP cadres had been torturing the families for the last several years.

"We could not celebrate our religious festivals peacefully. The cadres demolished our temple and puja mandap. They beat us when we tried to save our temple," he said.

Rashmoni Kangsha Banik, another victim, said they had informed the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) of the situation, but to no avail.

"The cadres once set fire to my seven-year-old daughter and they also beat me when I tried to extinguish the fire," said Maya Rani Kangsha Banik.

"Two months ago, the BNP cadres beat me and my husband before ousting us from our house. They will kill us if we try to go back to our home," she said.

Basudeb Kangsha Banik, Gouranga Kangsha Banik and Gopal Chandra Saha were also present at the press conference.