'Shootouts' killed 44 in 3 months
Forty-four people were killed in “shootout” with police and Rab in the first three months of this year, up from 32 during the same period last year, said a report of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) yesterday.
Besides, 10 people died in police firing, one in Rab shooting and two of torture at the hands of police and Rapid Action Battalion, according to the “Statistical Report on Violation of Human Rights: January-March 2017”.
The report was prepared based on media reports and information collected by ASK.
The rights watchdog said the figure of extrajudicial killings had hit 195 last year, three more than the previous year.
It said 321 children were tortured across the country. Of them, 72 were killed, bodies of 27 recovered and 17 committed suicide.
At least 25 people were picked up allegedly by law enforcers. Four of them returned home and one was found dead later. The law enforcers, however, denied the allegation, said ASK in a press statement.
Of the 12 who died in jail custody, seven were under-trial prisoners.
The government, however, claimed there were no extrajudicial killings in the country.
Speaking in parliament on February 28, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, “Our government does not support or encourage extrajudicial killing anyway.”
The report also pointed out that 13 people were killed and 914 injured in 63 incidents of political violence. Besides, 12 were killed in mass beatings.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
The rights organisation found that 94 women were killed and eight committed suicide in incidents of domestic violence and torture for dowry.
Ninety-three women were raped and at least five were killed after being violated. Besides, a rape victim committed suicide and 21 incidents of attempted rape were recorded.
Twenty-two women were harassed sexually and 91 others became victims of abuses.
In the last three months, seven Hindu households were attacked and 53 Hindu idols damaged.
Three Bangladeshis were killed in firing and torture by Indian Border Security Forces. As many as 15 others were kidnapped by the BSF, added the report.
At least 22 journalists were tortured, harassed and threatened while carrying out their professional duties.
The report mentioned about the death of journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul, 40, Shahzadpur correspondent of the Daily Samakal, during a clash over an internal feud in the ruling Awami League in Sirajganj's Shahzadpur upazila.
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