Deaths in political violence rise in June

The number of murders and injuries in political violence rose in June compared to May.

At least 58 incidents of political clashes left nine people dead and 346 injured in June, according to a study report published by Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

The study report, which was sent to the media on Thursday, says that 64 such incidents left five people dead and 289 injured in May.

Of the 58 incidents in June, 21 happened due to infighting within the BNP, leaving three dead and about 146 wounded.

The clashes between the BNP and Jamaat in eight incidents killed two and injured 36 people, while 14 clashes between the BNP and the Awami League killed two people and wounded 115.

The clashes among various parties in five incidents left two individuals dead and 22 injured.

The report mentions that most of the incidents centred on establishing dominance, political disputes, party and internal rivalries, and extortion.

It says that miscreants carried out 12 attacks on the leaders and activists of different political parties, leaving nine dead and 22 injured in June.

Of them, five were from the BNP and three from the Awami League.

No fewer than 31 people were killed and 69 wounded in 63 incidents of mob violence over allegations of theft, robbery, snatching, altercations, religious insult and others.

In addition, 66 members of law enforcement agencies were wounded in 29 incidents of mob violence while they were on duty.

The HRSS report states that in June there were five incidents of attacks along the India-Bangladesh border, leaving two dead in shootings by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

At least seven people were forcibly pushed into Bangladesh, and attempts were made to push in more than 400 people.

Meanwhile, separate incidents of landmines planted along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border exploding left three people dead.

The study report shows that at least 352 women and girls were subjected to abuse.

Of them, around 106 women, children and adolescent girls were victims of rape, while 94 women and girls were victims of sexual harassment.

In incidents of dowry-related abuse, four women were killed and two women died by suicide, says the report.