8 BNP men killed, 16 lynched in July: MSF

At least nine people were killed in political violence across Bangladesh in July, according to rights group Manabadhikar Sanskriti Foundation (MSF).

Of them, four were linked to the BNP, while five died in a clash in Gopalganj.

Among the BNP deaths, three resulted from internal party conflicts and one during a clash with Jamaat-e-Islami activists.

Beyond those figures, MSF reported that four more BNP members were killed by assailants, and another activist’s body was recovered under circumstances police described as “suspicious”.

The deceased was an associate of a youth wing leader who had been killed just four days earlier.

The information comes from MSF’s monthly report on the state of human rights, sent to media on the final day of July.

 Citing a rise in attacks on minorities, extrajudicial killings, and “mob” violence, the report said: “The destruction of Hindu temples and idols in the name of blasphemy continues. In many cases, mobs were formed via loudspeakers to loot homes and carry out attacks.”

“Deaths along the border have increased, not decreased. So have pushbacks. Mine blasts in the hills have left civilians critically wounded.

“Unidentified bodies keep turning up,” it added. “Mob violence and vigilantism are still rampant, and public fear has worsened due to government inaction.”

In June alone, 49 unidentified bodies were recovered, most of them floating in rivers or abandoned near highways, rail tracks, fields, and bridges, MSF said. A few were found beheaded, bagged, or bloodied.

‘MOB’ KILLINGS

MSF said July saw at least 51 incidents of mob beatings, resulting in 16 deaths and injuries to 53 others.

Another 30 were handed over to police while seriously wounded.

Of those killed, two were accused of mugging, eight were suspected thieves, one was accused of murder, three of drug dealing, and one man was beaten to death after allegedly asking for rent at a BNP office. Another was killed over political disputes.

Among the injured, seven were reportedly attacked for being linked to the Awami League.

MSF had earlier reported 10 “mob”-related deaths in June.

6 KILLED ALONG THE BORDER

The report also pointed to continued abuse and killings of Bangladeshis by India’s Border Security Force (BSF).

In July, six Bangladeshis were shot dead and one injured by BSF bullets, while another was allegedly assaulted.

A labourer’s body was also found floating in a river along the Indian border.

In Myanmar-bordering Naikhongchhari, one person was injured in a landmine blast, sparking panic among residents in the area.

Pushbacks also surged, with MSF reporting that BSF forced 1,561 people back into Bangladesh in July, up from 1,102 in June.

42 POLITICAL CLASHES

The report recorded 42 political violence incidents in July.

These included 27 internal BNP clashes, two between BNP and Awami League, two within the NCP, three between BNP and NCP, one BNP-police clash, one involving NCP, police and Awami League, four BNP-Jamaat confrontations, one Awami League-Jamaat clash, and one fight between BNP activists and followers of advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.

Commenting on the Gopalganj incident, where five were killed during an NCP rally, the group questioned: “The government admitted they had intelligence inputs. But if they knew, how did such a large-scale attack take place? How will they avoid responsibility for this intelligence failure?”

BNP DEATHS

Of the nine political deaths in July, four were tied to the BNP, excluding the Gopalganj deaths. One was killed by Jamaat, the rest in internal disputes.

On Jul 15, BNP’s Rahim Ullah Sikder died while under treatment after being attacked by Jamaat supporters in Cox’s Bazar.

On Jul 5, student leader Sohrab Mia was killed in a factional clash in Brahmanbaria’s Nasirnagar.

On Jul 16, BNP activist Mubin, identified with a single name, was injured in a turf war in Mathbaria, Pirojpur. He died in Dhaka the next day.

Another BNP member, Shafiqul Islam, injured on Apr 5 in Rangpur’s Badarganj, died in hospital on Jul 25.

Outside the clashes, targeted killings were also reported. On Jul 1, BNP’s Md Mintu, 25, was killed by attackers on Tajmahal Road in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur.

On Jul 2, Harunur Rashid, 65, was shot dead in Dohar, on Dhaka’s outskirts.

On Jul 6, youth leader Md Selim, 42, was gunned down in broad daylight in Chattogram’s Raozan.

On Jul 11, former Jatiyabadi Jubo Dal vice-president Mahbubur Rahman, 40, was shot dead outside his home in Khulna.

The body of another youth leader, Didarul Alam Rinku, 40, was recovered in Rangamati’s Betbunia, days after he went missing. Police say his death appeared mysterious.

Rinku was a known associate of Selim, who had been killed days earlier.