'Violence against women claims 518 last yr'

Violence against women claimed 518 lives across the country last year, according to a survey report released by Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights organisation, yesterday.
Of the victims, 172 women were killed over dowry and 246 in domestic violence while 83 killed after rape. The list also includes 17 female domestic helps.
Besides, 367 more women were raped and eight of them committed suicide during the one-year period. Two domestic helps also committed suicide.
Also, 20 women fell victim to fatwa (religious edict).
The report also said a total of 168 people were killed in shootout with the law enforces and 68 people died in the police and jail custody in 2008.
ASK prepared the report on the basis of reports published in 10 national dailies.
In another report, Bangladesh Manabadhikar Bastabayan Sangtha said at least 61 people were killed in different incidents such as mugging, robbery and clashes across the country last month.
Besides, 181 people were killed in different accidents such as road accidents and launch and boat capsize during the period.
The report also said at least 1962 people were detained by law enforcers and 163 people were injured in political violence in December.
Besides, four women were killed over dowry and 10 people killed in mass beating. The police also recovered 20 bodies during the period.
Nine people were killed in crossfire with the law enforcers and one killed in political violence, the report said.
Eight people fell victim to acid attack and four journalists were harassed in the month-long period, said the report prepared on the basis of newspaper reports.