168 murdered in last month: BHRC

Around 168 people were murdered for various reasons including social and political violence across the country last month, according to a local rights body.

Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC) today revealed the information in their monthly report based on data from its district, upazila, and municipality branches, and national newspapers, in cooperation with International Human Rights Commission.

BHRC, in a press statement, also said around 221 people were killed in road, train and waterway accidents.

Among the 168 victims, two were killed for dowry, 20 in family feud, 42 in social and four in political violence in May this year. “Around 29 people were killed in the hands of the members of different law enforcement agencies while seven by the members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the same time,” it said.

Around eight people died for the negligence of physicians at different health service centres including hospitals, five were killed after abduction, nine fell victim of secret killing, 35 died in mysterious circumstances and seven were killed after rape, according to BHRC.

Besides, the total number of rape victims was 69 in the month while nine women faced sexual harassment, two were tortured for dowry and one burnt in acid attack. Two journalists were physically assaulted while performing their duties, it said.       

The commission has expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of such incidents. BHRC also claimed that the killing incidents have taken place due to the extreme deterioration of the law and order in the country.