First, they were attacked for playing football. Now, they are being threatened with acid attacks.

Their crime? They wanted to play for the country.

The girls are now passing days amid fear and panic as the attackers are intimidating them.

They even threatened to throw acid on one of the victims who filed a case against the criminals.

"They (accused) have threatened to throw acid on me, if I don't withdraw the case," said Sadia Nasrin, one of the victims.

"They also threatened to implicate us (female footballers) and our coach in false cases," Nasrin told The Daily Star yesterday.

On July 29, at least four girls, all members of the under-17 Khulna divisional football team, came under attack by a group of people for wearing shorts and playing football at Tentultala village of Khulna's Batiaghata upazila.

Nasrin, who is captain of the team, filed a case on the same night accusing six persons -- Nur Alam, Alauddin, Salauddin, Nupur Khatun, Ranji Begum and Monwara Begum.

Of the victims, three were released from a local hospital after receiving primary treatment.

But Mangali Bagchi, who was severely injured, is still undergoing treatment at Batiaghata Upazila Health Complex.

"Doctors told us that Mangali will have to stay two or three days more in the hospital for her recovery," said her father Ranjit Bagchi.

"I have learned that the attackers are angry now because of the case. They (the accused) might attack them again. We are passing our days in fear," he added.

Ranjit said he would allow her daughter to continue playing football, despite all the hurdles.

Mizanur Rahman, upazila health and family planning officer, said Mangali suffered head injuries, but she is out of danger.

The girls play football at Super Queen Football Academy in Batiaghata.

Contacted, the academy's trainer Mostaq Hossain demanded security for the footballers and their family members.

Khulna District Football Association President Md Saiful Islam demanded exemplary punishment for the attackers.

"If the perpetrators avoid punishment, similar atrocities against girls will continue. We urge the authorities to ensure that the attackers face harsh legal consequences," he told The Daily Star.

Shawkat Kabir, officer-in-charge of Batiaghata Police Station, said, "The prime accused (Nur Alam) has already been arrested. We are trying to arrest the other accused."

He also said police are providing necessary security to the victims and their family members.

Meanwhile, two rights bodies -- Manusher Jonno Foundation and Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation -- have strongly condemned the attack and demanded punishment for the attackers.

In a statement, MJF demanded swift arrest and punishment of all those responsible for the violent attack on four women footballers.

MJF also urged the local administration to initiate a transformative shift in the mindset and attitude of certain people towards women's football in Batiaghata.

"Moreover, MJF emphasises the importance of collective efforts from all stakeholders to push forward women's football activities within the community," the statement added.

Manabadhikar Shongskriti also called upon the government to take necessary measures for building social resistance and awareness against such violent attacks on girls.