23 killed, 733 injured in political violence in March: HRSS

At least 23 people were killed and 733 injured in 97 political violence incidents in March, according to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

It said that most of the violence centred on establishing dominance, political vendetta, extortion, and occupying various facilities. In February, 104 incidents of political violence killed 9 and injured 755.

Although the number of political violence incidents in March decreased slightly compared to February, however, the number of deaths more than doubled.

Besides, at least 41 journalists have been subjected to torture and harassment in 29 incidents in March, it further said.

The report was prepared based on information collected by HRSS and news published in various media outlets in Bangladesh, it said in a press release on Wednesday.

HRSS noted in their report that out of 97 incidents of violence in March, 502 people were injured and 17 killed in 64 incidents involving BNP infighting. Fifty-two people were injured and 2 killed in 11 BNP-Awami League clashes. Eighty-one people were injured and 1 killed in 10 BNP-Jamaat clashes. Thirty-one people were injured and 2 killed in 3 BNP-NCP clashes.

Meanwhile, forty people were injured and 1 was killed in 2 incidents of internal Awami League clashes. Ten people were injured in 2 incidents of internal NCP clashes and five incidents occurred between different parties. 

Of the 23 people killed in March, 18 were BNP members, 3 were Awami League members, and 2 were UPDF members. Of the 97 violent incidents, 88 occurred in BNP internal conflicts and between BNP and other political parties.
Compared to February, clashes between the Awami League and BNP decreased in March, while clashes with Jamaat and NCP increased, the HRSS report said.