Mob Violence Injuries Rise 77%

Mob violence is rising at an alarming rate in Bangladesh, with the number of people injured in such attacks increasing by 77% in June compared with the previous month, according to a report by the Human Rights Support Foundation.

The rights organization said incidents of vigilante justice are becoming increasingly common, with people attacked over allegations of theft, robbery, suspected crimes, rumors, or misunderstandings. Both suspected offenders and innocent people have been killed or injured in these attacks, raising serious concerns over the rule of law and human rights.

MSF noted that the list of victims continues to grow, including police officers, teachers, businesspeople, laborers, pedestrians, and even foreign nationals. In many cases, mobs attacked before verifying allegations, while some incidents involved vandalism and looting of homes, deepening public fear and insecurity.

According to the report released Tuesday, the number of deaths from mob violence remained unchanged in June, but injuries rose by 77%. Political violence also intensified, with injuries increasing by 57% and fatalities more than doubling compared with May.

MSF said the figures indicate a worsening political and social environment. The organization also reported a 22% increase in the recovery of identified and unidentified bodies, describing it as a sign of deteriorating law and order, weak criminal investigations, and growing public insecurity.

The report also raised concerns about border security. While border killings declined in some areas, attempts to push people into Bangladesh increased sharply, signaling a potential humanitarian crisis. MSF also cited increased abductions by the Arakan Army and rising violence along the Myanmar border.

Overall, MSF concluded that Bangladesh's human rights situation deteriorated on multiple fronts in June, driven by political violence, mob attacks, law and order concerns, and border tensions. The organization called for stronger enforcement of the rule of law, accountability for perpetrators, impartial justice, and effective measures to protect human rights.

Mob Violence

MSF documented 78 mob violence incidents in June, leaving 33 people dead and 126 seriously injured. In May, 32 people were killed and 71 injured.

Political Violence

The report said seven people were killed in political violence during June. The victims included three BNP members killed in internal party conflicts, one BNP member killed in a BNP-Jamaat clash in Mymensingh, two people killed in separate BNP-Awami League clashes in Jessore and Natore, and one Jamaat-e-Islami activist killed in a BNP-Shibir clash in Gaibandha.

In May, political violence claimed three lives.

A total of 303 people were injured in political violence in June, including 203 BNP members, 33 Awami League members, 52 Jamaat members, and 15 members of the National Citizen Party (NCP). The corresponding figure in May was 193.

The report also said seven people, including five BNP members, were killed in attacks by unidentified assailants. Three were shot dead, while two were stabbed.

Identified and Unidentified Bodies

Authorities recovered 65 identified and unidentified bodies across the country in June, including 47 men, 12 women, two teenagers, and one person whose age and gender could not be determined. The total was 53 in May.

Most bodies were found floating in rivers or ponds, beside highways, under bridges, near railway tracks, in crop fields, or in abandoned locations. Some were recovered with slit throats, inside sacks, with hands and feet tied, or bearing signs of severe violence.

Border Situation

The report said two Bangladeshis were killed and two injured in shootings by India's Border Security Force (BSF) during June. Authorities also recovered the body of an elderly Bangladeshi near the Indian border.

Along the Myanmar border, three Bangladeshis were killed in three separate landmine explosions. A Rohingya youth was also injured in gunfire allegedly by the Arakan Army.

MSF reported that seven Bangladeshis were pushed into Bangladesh from India during the month, while 423 others were reportedly subjected to attempted push-ins, contributing to fear and uncertainty among border residents.

Attacks on Minorities and Religious Shrines

The report documented five incidents of idol vandalism in Bogura, Sunamganj, Faridpur, and Mymensingh during June.

It also said a minority family's home was vandalized in Sunamganj, while unidentified attackers opened fire and spread panic in Jumpara, Cox's Bazar.

In Chandpur, a shrine run by a female spiritual leader was attacked under the leadership of a local mosque imam. Women present at the shrine resisted the attack, leaving 10 people injured in clashes between the two sides.