CALGARY -- Mocking RCMP efforts, a chilling new letter from the EnCana pipelines bomber warns the Calgary energy giant to start shutting down northeastern B.C. operations within three months or face ramped-up attacks.

The acts of sabotage will "get a lot worse," says the angry screed sent Wednesday to a Dawson Creek newspaper.

The second letter linked to the past few months' six bombings of EnCana wellheads and pipelines, its author taunts Mounties over an investigation that stalled earlier this year after several potential suspects were crossed off the list.

"We can all have a summer vacation, including your security personnel and the RCMP, who have not helped you to date anyway," says the letter after declaring a moratorium on the bombings until the deadline expires.

Mounties come under further withering scrutiny with references to some Dawson Creek-area residents' contention the police probe has been heavy-handed.

At least two residents have hired a lawyer with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, demanding a stop to what they call harassment and intimidation from police.

Comments made by Sgt. Tim Shields seemed aimed at alleviating this controversy.

"We know that the actions of whoever is responsible are not supported by the community and residents in the area," said Shields, who called the letter "a form of blackmail."

"Make no mistake, the explosions that have occurred were extremely violent in nature and it is very dangerous to the local community."

Parts of the letter -- which gives EnCana five years to completely cease operations in the region -- were released by Mounties yesterday except for those portions critical of their investigation.

Calling the detonations "minor" and "controlled," the diatribe states they were set "to let you know that you are indeed vulnerable, can be rendered helpless despite your megafunds, your political influence, craftiness and deceit in which you trusted."

Though apprised of the letter's contents, EnCana yesterday refused comment on its contents.

But spokesman Alan Boras minced few words about the concerns left by the ever-deepening mystery.

"In real terms, these are violent attacks in people's work place," he said.

"These are not only attacks on EnCana ... these are criminal acts that are damaging property but more importantly, endangering the lives of the people who work for us, the contractors and beyond that, the public who live and work in these communities."

DOUG.MCINTYRE@SUNMEDIA.CA