The number of murders, especially targeted killings most of them political killing has reached an alarming number in the first few months of 2025. At least 316 people were killed across the country in the last month, according to the Police Headquarters database.
Over 200 people killed across the country were linked to struggles for supremacy and political vengeance in the last months.
With each incident leading to a formal case, this marks an average of over ten murders per day. The trend has shown no signs of slowing in April. At least 47 people died in mob beatings in January to march, said Ain o Salish Kendra a Human Rights forum in Bangladesh.
At least 23 people were killed and 733 more injured in over 97 incidents of political violence across the country last month, says a report of Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). In a media release, HRSS said that at least 40 incidents of 'mob beating' took place across the country in March, killing 12 people and injuring 44 others.
In addition, at least 16 people were killed in 83 incidents of political violence, said the organisation. Of the incidents, 45 were caused by internal conflicts within BNP, while 23 were between BNP and Awami League activists. Among the dead, 11 were from BNP and five were from AL. "Moreover, at least eight individuals from Awami League, BNP and Jamaat were killed in power struggles and criminal attacks," said the report.
"Notably 39 people were injured in violent clashes over market control in Narsingdi's Palash and Dhaka's Kawran Bazar," it added. HRSS compiled these statistics based on news reported in national media.
Investigators acknowledge that multiple murders are taking place almost daily. While the numbers are rising, police say they are actively working to arrest the perpetrators.
As of April 23, more than 100 murder cases have already been filed with police stations nationwide, officials confirmed. One of the most shocking recent cases includes the murder of Zahidul Islam Parvez, a student at Primeasia University, who was stabbed to death in Banani over a petty dispute. Similar seemingly minor confrontations have escalated into fatal violence in recent weeks.
Sociologists and crime analysts point to a serious erosion in societal values as a root cause of the rising violence. Even one's home is no longer a guaranteed safe haven. In several tragic cases, children have become victims of violence within their own families.
Police data show that 316 murders in March were all formally reported. The highest number occurred in the Dhaka Range with 66 killings, followed by Chattogram (65), Khulna (35), and Dhaka Metropolitan area (33).
February saw 294 murder cases, while January recorded 300. Analyses of these incidents suggest common triggers: Political rivalries, disputes over personal interests, drug trafficking, territorial clashes, domestic feuds, property disputes, extramarital affairs, aggressive behaviour, and robberies gone wrong.
Jahidul Islam Parvez, a student of Primeasia University, was stabbed to death on the campus in Banani on April 19. Then there was brief gaps before a similar killing were continued. At least five people falling victim to targeted assassinations - all hacked to death in last two months.
On Monday, a BNP activist was hacked to death in Feni's Sonagazi area. In Dhaka's Moghbazar, a BNP leader was shot dead amid a turf war between rival gangs.
Also on Monday, Mokarram Mia was stabbed to death in Kishoreganj's Itna upazila during a dispute over fishing in a haor.
In Rajshahi, Nantu Mia was beaten to death for protesting against harassment of his daughter. That same day, Abul Kashem, an elderly man, was killed over a land dispute.
A fire was set to the Manikganj residence of artist Manabendra Ghosh, who made the tiger motif for the Borsho Boron Ananda Shobhajatra, on April 16.
Manabendra said, "The day before Pahela Baishakh, a (Facebook) page called 'Rajya Sabha' spread a misleading information about me saying that I had created the motif of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's caricature as the Face of Fascism."
Most of the violent incidents were linked to struggles for supremacy, political vengeance, extortion, and attempts to control various establishments, according to sources.
A security analyst criticised how law enforcers were terming murders as targeted killings or putting the blame on mobs even before starting an investigation. As a result of these presumptions, the real incidents often do not come to light and encourage the perpetrators to commit more crimes, he added.
Prof Dr Iftikhar Uddin Chowdhury, a noted sociologist, told the media that moral decay and greed are among the main causes.
He also cited a lack of effective law enforcement and political interference, alongside socioeconomic pressures, misuse of technology, and foreign cultural influence.
