Political Violence Surges in October: 64 Incidents, BNP Linked to 57
10 Killed, 513 Injured
Bangladesh witnessed at least 64 political violence incidents in October, claiming 10 lives and injuring 513 others, according to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). Of these, 57 were linked to the BNP, including internal feuds and clashes with other parties, highlighting a sharp rise in unrest amid election preparations.
The HRSS monthly human rights monitoring report, released Tuesday, attributes the escalation to power struggles, political rivalries, rally clashes, committee disputes, extortion, and property seizures. BNP internal conflicts accounted for 37 incidents, killing 9 and injuring 286. Clashes with Awami League (26 incidents, 60 injured) and Jamaat-e-Islami (3 incidents, 137 injured) followed, alongside 9 other party confrontations.
The report, based on media and field documentation, warns of a deteriorating human rights situation, including 221 women and girls victimized (78 raped, 37 minors; 9 gang-raped, 5 killed post-assault), 76 children tortured (36 killed, 40 abused), 48 journalists attacked (34 incidents), 17 mob lynchings (10 killed, 19 injured), and 35 worker violence cases (11 dead, 116 injured).
Governance failures, mob culture, and impunity are blamed, with 35 incidents of vigilante justice and 2 minority attacks injuring 13. Border issues persist: 23 Bangladeshis killed, 34 injured, 56 detained by India's BSF in 61 incidents; Myanmar's Arakan Army seized 2 trawlers and 18 fishermen. A BGB naik lost his ankle to a mine blast near the border.
HRSS urges dialogue with political parties, civil society, journalists, and citizens to restore rule of law and human rights, warning that inaction will lead to further deterioration.
