At least six people were killed and more than 533 others injured in political violence across the country in April, according to a report released by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).
The human rights organisation published its monthly monitoring report for April 2026 on Tuesday, based on news from 16 national media outlets and its own fact-finding investigations.
The report noted a decrease in political violence and casualties compared to March. Last month, 18 people were killed and 912 injured in 113 incidents of political violence.
In April, 98 incidents of political violence were recorded. Of the 533 injured, most were leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens caught in party feuds and internal conflicts.
According to HRSS, internal conflicts within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) proved particularly deadly. In 40 such incidents, at least 247 people were injured and four were killed.
Clashes between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in 12 incidents left 113 injured. Another 58 were injured in 13 clashes between BNP and Awami League, while 26 were injured in three clashes between BNP and the National Citizen Party (NCP).
The report also recorded 46 injuries in 21 clashes between BNP and other parties, 20 injuries in one incident of internal conflict within the NCP, and 23 injuries in six incidents involving various other parties. Two members of the United Peoples’ Democratic Front (UPDF) were killed in two separate incidents.
‘Domination, extortion behind most violence’
“Most incidents of violence occurred centered on domination, political disputes and attacks, party and internal feuds, and extortion,” the report stated. “Alongside, there have been separate attacks on political leaders and activists, incidents of being shot, and incidents of vandalism and arson across the country.”
Separate attacks by miscreants on political leaders and activists resulted in at least 32 injuries and six deaths – three from BNP, two from Awami League, and one from Jamaat. A total of 37 political leaders and activists were shot during the month.
In 26 incidents centred on domination, occupation, political violence and extortion, at least 67 houses, business establishments, and party offices were attacked, looted, vandalised, or set on fire.
More than 23 cases were filed against political leaders and activists in April, naming 386 individuals and 1,250 unidentified persons as accused. At least 282 leaders and activists from various parties were arrested in political cases – including 174 from Awami League, 84 from BNP, and 19 from Jamaat.
Separately, joint forces arrested more than 1,089 individuals in special operations across the country. Most of those arrested were members of various political organisations, including Awami League, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, and the banned Chhatra League.
The report expressed grave concern over mob violence and lynching. In 44 incidents across the country in April -on charges ranging from theft and robbery to domination and religious defamation – at least 22 people were killed and 39 injured.
Seventy-five journalists were victims of torture and harassment in 40 attack incidents. Of them, at least 42 were injured, 17 were humiliated, and 10 faced threats. Three journalists were arrested, while five others were accused in four separate cases.
Interference with freedom of expression increased significantly in April. In at least 14 incidents, 23 people were arrested and nine cases filed. Arrests included one person for posting Facebook criticism of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, five for criticising ruling party BNP leaders, and five on charges of hurting religious sentiments.
In separate cases under the Cyber Security Ordinance-2025, 18 people were accused and arrested in seven cases.
Women, children bear heavy toll
The report stated that 294 women and girl children were victims of torture in April. Among them, 68 women, children and adolescent girls were raped, while 30 were gang-raped. Another 79 were victims of sexual harassment, including 40 children.
In dowry-related torture, eight women were killed and two injured. Domestic violence claimed 64 lives, injured 36, and drove 36 women to suicide.
A total of 191 children were victims of abuse, with 57 losing their lives and 134 suffering physical and mental torture.
At the India-Bangladesh border, two people were killed and two injured in eight attacks, with three of the victims shot. Another eight were arrested by India’s Border Security Force (BSF). On the Sylhet border, two Bangladeshis were killed by gunfire from Khasiya, an Indian citizen.
At the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, 18 people were arrested in two violence incidents. Two Rohingya residing in Bangladesh were seriously injured by a landmine planted by the Arakan Army.
In labour-related incidents, 13 workers were killed and 116 injured in 80 cases of exploitation. Another 64 workers died in workplace accidents due to unhealthy environments and lack of protective equipment.
At least five accused persons died in prisons across the country in April – two convicts and three undertrials.
‘Sensitive and volatile phase’
HRSS Executive Director Ijazul Islam said Bangladesh’s human rights situation had crossed a “sensitive and volatile phase” in April.
“The arrest, harassment and legal action centered on expressing opinions on social media have created renewed concern,” he said. “If these issues are not resolved, the human rights situation may deteriorate further.”
He called upon the government to take more accountable and responsible steps to protect human rights and urged citizens, media workers, civil society, and human rights organisations to play a more vocal and active role.
