229 custodial deaths in 2009

A total of 229 people died in custody of the law enforcers in last one year, says a report of rights group Ain O Salish Kendra.
Of them, 42 were killed in “crossfire” involving Rapid Action Battalion, 58 in “crossfire” involving police, 23 in custody of Rab and police, and two in that of joint forces.
The report unveiled yesterday says 59 army personnel, 11 BDR jawans, six civilians and wives of two army officers were killed in the February 25-26 mutiny at Pilkhana headquarters.
Salish Kendra prepared the report on the basis of reports published in 11 national dailies.
It says four journalists were killed in last 12 months. During the time, 19 newsmen received death threats and 84 saw cases filed against them.
Names and workplaces of the four killed however were not mentioned.
Journalists tortured, assaulted, threatened or harassed by criminals, law enforcers, militants and political activists totalled 136.
According to the Kendra report, 58 people died in different jails. Of them, 30 were convicts and 28 under-trial prisoners.
Some 380 incidents of political violence left 42 people killed and 4,629 injured. The administration imposed section 144 for 82 times in six divisions.
A total of 446 women were raped, and of them, 62 were killed. Some 285 women were victims of violence over dowry, and 194 were killed by husbands.
Besides, 63 women came under acid attacks. Some 242 women were killed in domestic violence and nine committed suicide.
The ASK said 35 women fell victim to fatwa (religious edicts). Of them, 20 were caned and three forced to get married.
Some 78 maids were tortured, it added.