Political violence kills 9, injures 346 in June: HRSS

Highlights: 

• 31 killed, 69 injured in mob violence
• 352 women and girls subjected to violence
• 47 journalists face assault and harassment

Nine people were killed and 346 injured in 58 incidents of political violence across the country in June, while mob violence left 31 dead and 69 injured, according to a Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) report released today (2 July).

The report said political violence increased from May, when five people were killed and 289 injured. The BNP’s internal infighting accounted for 21 of the June incidents, resulting in three deaths and at least 146 injuries.

Eight BNP-Jamaat clashes killed two people and injured 36, while 14 BNP-Awami League clashes left two dead and 115 injured. Five BNP-NCP clashes injured 18 people, five BNP-other party clashes injured nine, and five incidents involving various political groups killed two and injured 22.

Among those killed were four BNP activists, two Awami League activists, one Shibir member, one United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) member and one member of an extremist group.

HRSS recorded 63 mob violence incidents over allegations including theft, robbery, snatching, disputes, dominance and religious defamation. At least 66 law enforcement personnel were assaulted or injured in 29 incidents during traffic duties, operations, prisoner rescue attempts and mob violence.

The report documented 39 incidents involving journalists, affecting 47 media workers. At least 28 were injured, five assaulted, nine threatened and five detained, while 12 journalists were accused in seven cases.

Seven inmates died in prison during the month, including four convicts and three undertrial prisoners. They included one Awami League activist, one BNP activist and five general inmates.

HRSS also reported 12 attacks on minority communities, injuring seven people and involving vandalism of 12 temples, 11 idols and seven homes. An indigenous woman was reportedly gang-raped.

A total of 352 women and girls faced violence in June. Among them, 106 were raped, including 75 minors. Nineteen women and girls were gang-raped, and two girls were killed after rape.

Another 94 women and girls, including 49 children, faced sexual harassment. Dowry-related violence left four women dead, four injured and two driven to suicide. Domestic violence resulted in the deaths of 57 women, injured 48, and drove 36 to suicide, while one woman suffered injuries from an acid attack.

The report also documented abuse of 291 children, including 54 deaths and 237 cases of physical or psychological violence.

HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam said Bangladesh’s human rights situation remained in a sensitive and evolving phase, with political tensions and public security concerns contributing to growing challenges