Political violence kills 130 this year
As many as 130 people have been killed in 509 clashes among political parties in the first nine months this year, according to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
About 6,587 people have also sustained injuries during these clashes.
Of the casualties, 23 have died and 1,134 have been injured in 88 incidents of the ruling Awami League's intra-party clashes.
In its nine-month human rights violation report -- from January to September -- which was released on Tuesday, the rights body said 119 people were killed either in custody or during “gunfights” between their aides and law enforcers.
Among the victims, 52 were killed in “gunfights” with police, 29 in fighting with the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), one in a clash with both police and Rab, seven in joint forces' action, four by Rab and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), three by Bangladesh Coast Guard and six at the hands of Detective Branch (DB) of police.
Moreover, 10 died from torture in police custody and one each in BGB, Rab and army custody.
In a statement yesterday, Rab, however, claimed 17 people were killed in “gunfights” between the force and “criminals” during the time.
The ASK report, based on national dailies and its own findings, also said 82 were reportedly abducted by law enforcement agency members this year. Bodies of 23 were recovered while 10 other abductees had been freed later.
Three top Rab officials had been sacked and later arrested following the abduction and killing of seven people in Narayanganj in April.
In the nine months, 732 Hindu houses, 222 temples and 193 shops were vandalised and set ablaze, the ASK report mentioned. A person died and 209 others were injured in these incidents.
Eleven people were shot dead by the Indian Border Security Force and 13 more died from BSF torture.
Forty-four people died during imprisonment and 95 were killed in mob beating. Ten women committed suicide following sexual harassment, while 527 women were abused during the time.
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