At least four people were killed and 527 others injured in 68 incidents of political violence across the country in September, according to a monthly report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).
The rights organisation also recorded nine deaths and 32 injuries in 35 incidents of mob violence, while 21 prisoners died in jails during the month.
HRSS released the findings in a press statement on Saturday, saying the report was based on news published in 16 national media outlets, information collected by the organisation and its own fact-finding reports.
The number of political violence incidents and casualties declined slightly from August, when HRSS recorded 70 incidents that left seven people dead and 536 injured.
Of the 68 incidents recorded in September, 35 involved internal conflicts within the BNP, leaving at least 340 people injured and one person dead, the report said.
Seven clashes between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters left 61 people injured, while six clashes between BNP and Awami League supporters left 42 injured and one dead.
Two clashes between Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami League supporters left three people injured and one dead, while three clashes between BNP and the National Citizens Party (NCP) left 16 people injured.
Seven incidents involving BNP and other political groups left 15 people injured, while seven other incidents involving different political groups resulted in 50 injuries and one death.
Of the four people killed in political violence, two were affiliated with the Awami League, one with the BNP and one with Jamaat-e-Islami, according to the report.
Local election violence
HRSS also recorded two clashes linked to the upcoming local government elections, leaving at least 20 people injured.
The report attributed most of the political violence to attempts to establish dominance, political disputes and attacks, the upcoming local elections, internal party conflicts and extortion.
It also documented separate attacks on political activists, shootings, vandalism and arson in different parts of the country.
In addition, 12 incidents involving attacks on political leaders and activists by alleged criminals left seven people dead and five injured, according to the report. Five of those killed were BNP activists, one was affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami and another was described as a member of an extremist group.
At least 15 political leaders and activists were also shot during the month.
HRSS said 23 incidents involving political violence, attempts to establish dominance, land or property occupation and extortion resulted in clashes, attacks, looting, vandalism and arson targeting at least 63 homes, businesses and party offices.
Thousands arrested
According to the report, more than 23 cases were filed against political activists of different parties during September. At least 529 people were named as accused, while around 687 others were listed as unnamed accused.
HRSS said 21,208 people were arrested in 287 incidents during political, joint and special operations.
Among those arrested were at least 1,665 Awami League activists, 62 BNP activists, 31 Jamaat-e-Islami activists, one NCP activist and 24 members of extremist organisations, the report said.
Nine killed in mob violence
HRSS expressed concern over the rise of mob violence and mass beatings, reporting 35 such incidents in September.
At least nine people were killed and 32 injured in incidents triggered by allegations including theft, robbery, mugging, disputes, attempts to establish dominance, alleged religious offences, rape and attempted rape.
Besides, at least 21 prisoners died in jails across the country in September, including 11 convicts and 10 people awaiting trial, according to HRSS.
Two of the deceased were affiliated with the Awami League, while 19 were described as ordinary prisoners.
The organisation also reported three deaths involving law enforcement custody or alleged torture. One person allegedly died following torture, while two died in law enforcement custody.
Another person died after falling into a drain while allegedly fleeing after seeing police.
35 journalists face attacks, harassment
At least 35 journalists were subjected to attacks or harassment in 20 incidents during September, the report said.
At least 16 journalists were injured, 12 were allegedly assaulted or humiliated and three received threats. One journalist was detained.
Three journalists were named as accused in four cases, while one was detained in a case filed under the Cyber Security Act.
HRSS also said law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed six meetings and rallies during the month, leaving 47 people injured.
The organisation recorded 12 incidents involving alleged restrictions on freedom of expression. Fourteen people were detained and 12 cases were filed, with at least 26 people accused.
69 bodies recovered
HRSS said 69 bodies were recovered from rivers, canals, forests and abandoned locations across the country in 66 incidents during September.
Of the bodies, 11 were found stuffed in sacks, 24 hanging, eight bearing multiple injuries, six with their throats slit and nine with their hands and feet tied. Another 11 bodies were recovered under other circumstances.
Border violence
Three incidents involving alleged attacks by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India border left two people dead and three injured, according to the report.
HRSS said one person was detained from a border area and alleged that there were attempts to push more than 100 people into Bangladesh through different border points.
Along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, a Bangladeshi fisherman was injured by gunfire allegedly fired by the Arakan Army, it said.
29 workers killed
The report documented 88 incidents involving alleged labour abuse during September, leaving 29 workers dead and at least 121 injured.
At least 46 workers died in workplace accidents, which HRSS linked to unsafe working conditions and a lack of protective equipment.
Two domestic workers were also allegedly subjected to abuse in separate incidents.
236 women and girls subjected to violence
At least 236 women and girls were subjected to violence in September, according to the report.
Of them, at least 79 were raped, including 47 girls under the age of 18. Thirteen women and girls were allegedly gang-raped.
Five women and girls were allegedly killed following rape, including three under the age of 18, while another woman “committed suicide” after rape.
At least 49 women and girls were subjected to sexual harassment, including 25 children. Six women were killed and four injured in dowry-related violence, while another woman died by suicide. Domestic violence left 43 women dead and 27 injured, while 26 women died by suicide, the report said. One woman was also allegedly subjected to an acid attack.
HRSS separately recorded violence against 271 children. Of them, 78 died and 193 were subjected to physical or psychological abuse. Seven children were allegedly raped during the month.
HRSS calls for greater accountability
HRSS said some indicators of the country’s human rights situation had improved in September, while others had deteriorated.
The press statement said political violence, violence linked to the upcoming local government elections, campus violence, mob violence, deaths in prisons and custody, alleged torture, restrictions on freedom of expression, attacks on journalists, violence against women and children, border violence and labour-related abuses continued during the month.
It also expressed concern over arrests, harassment and legal action linked to people’s expression of opinions on social media.
“If these issues are not addressed, the human rights situation may deteriorate further,” it said.
The rights organization called on the government to take more accountable and responsible measures to protect human rights and urged citizens, journalists, civil society organisations and human rights groups to play a more active role.
