In the first half of this year, at least 529 incidents of political violence occurred across Bangladesh, claiming the lives of at least 79 people, according to a biannual report published by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), a Bangladesh-based organisation.
A majority of the 529 political violence incidents were driven by power struggles over committees and establishments, political vendettas, and extortion, according to a press statement issued by HRSS on Monday.
Notably, 445 of these incidents were linked to either internal conflicts within the BNP or conflicts between the BNP and other political parties.
The report further mentioned that over 110 people sustained gunshot injuries in the past six months amid ongoing political unrest and more than 600 homes, political offices, business establishments, and vehicles were damaged or destroyed in incidents of vandalism, arson, and looting.
Out of the deceased, 54 were affiliated with the BNP, 17 with the Awami League, 2 with Jamaat-e-Islami, and one person was associated with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. In addition, 3 were identified as members of United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), while the identity of two others, one woman and one man, remains unknown, the report said.
The report also revealed that at least 76 targeted attacks were carried out on political leaders and activists, leaving 57 dead and more than a hundred injured.
Mob lynching on the rise
The HRSS also raised serious concern over the rising number of mob lynching across the country. In the first six months of this year, at least 141 incidents of mob lynching claimed 67 lives and left 119 people injured.
Referencing several media reports, the HRSS mentioned that the victims of mob lynching represent a wide cross-section of the society, including former election commissioner KM Nurul Huda, a 50-year-old man with mental illnesses, Jubo League activist Zakir Hossain in Noakhali, a Jamaat member in Chattogram, and even two Iranian nationals.
Previously, the HRSS's "Annual Human Rights Situation in 2024" revealed that at least 173 people were killed, and 88 injured in 201 mob lynching incidents in 2024.
The issue first gained widespread attention when 43 people were killed in mob violence after the mass uprising.
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