56 killed in political violence in six months

At least 56 people were killed and more than 5,246 others injured in political and election-related violence across the country in the first six months of this year, according to a report by the Human Rights Support Society.

The rights organisation disclosed the figures in its January-June 2026 human rights monitoring report through a press release issued on Wednesday.

HRSS said the half-yearly report was prepared based on news published in 16 national media outlets, information collected by the organisation and fact-finding reports.

According to the report, 830 incidents of political violence took place during the period, leaving 56 people dead. Among the deceased were 37 BNP activists, six Jamaat activists, three Awami League activists, eight members of other political parties, one member of an extremist group and one ordinary woman.

The report said around 81 percent of the political violence was linked to internal conflicts within BNP or clashes between BNP and other parties.

The report also said 133 people were killed and 256 injured in 261 incidents of mob violence and lynching over allegations including theft, robbery, snatching, religious offence, local dominance and arguments.

Regarding election-related violence, HRSS said 13 people were killed and 2,578 injured in 396 incidents. More than 600 business establishments, houses and election offices reportedly came under attack, vandalism, looting and arson before and after elections.

The report said 144 cases were filed under political and anti-terrorism laws in six months.
A total of 3,268 named accused and 24,518 unidentified accused were mentioned in those cases.

At least 3,067 leaders and activists of different political parties were arrested during the period.

On freedom of expression and assembly, the report said law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed 40 meetings and rallies. At least 311 people were injured and 38 were detained in those incidents.

HRSS also reported that 383 journalists faced assault, harassment or intimidation in 200 incidents during the six-month period. Of them, 234 were injured, 60 were assaulted, 49 were threatened and 11 were detained. Besides, 33 journalists were made accused in 15 cases filed under the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025.

The report said 56 people from minority communities were injured in 50 attacks. During the period, 19 temples, 15 idols and 43 houses were attacked or vandalised. It also reported four incidents of land grabbing involving minority communities.

On border violence, HRSS said nine Bangladeshis were killed and 35 injured in 32 incidents involving India’s Border Security Force along the Bangladesh-India border. It also said 38 people were detained and 173 people were pushed into Bangladesh through the border.

Along the Myanmar border, one person was killed and five injured in 20 incidents, while six others died in landmine explosions reportedly planted by the Arakan Army.

The report also said 11 people died in incidents involving law enforcement custody, torture, firing and alleged gunfights during the period. At the same time, 58 prisoners died in jail custody.

According to the report, 1,621 women and girls were subjected to violence in six months. It also said 1,077 children faced violence during the same period.

HRSS called for strengthening the rule of law, democratic processes and coordinated efforts among the state, political parties, civil society, media and human rights organisations to improve the country’s human rights situation.