Crime and Justice
Bangladesh Records 121 Deaths in Political Violence in 11 Months- Watchdog
DHAKA, Aug — At least 121 people were killed and 5,189 injured in 471 incidents of political violence across Bangladesh between August last year and June this year, according to a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report released Monday.
The study found that the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was linked to 92% of the incidents, while the ruling Awami League was connected to 22%, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami to 5%, and the Jatiya Nagorik Party to 1%.
The report, titled “One Year Since the Fall of an Authoritarian Government: Expectations and Achievements,” was presented in Dhaka by researchers Shahjada Akram and Zulkarnaine. It said political activists were involved in extortion, control of transport hubs, and taking over businesses.
Zulkarnaine noted a lack of respect for the law and internal discipline among political parties, preventing action against offenders. He also said the interim government had, in some cases, sheltered individuals for partisan gain and displayed tendencies to unite around personal interests.
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said many of the interim administration’s reform initiatives were ad-hoc and lacked a clear implementation roadmap, while political pressure forced it to backtrack on some decisions. He added that a newly formed political party, the interim government, and some politicians were themselves involved in corruption and conflicts of interest.
“While we have ended authoritarian rule, we have yet to take sufficient steps to dismantle the authoritarian system,” Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said.
A butcher named Mizanur Rahman was brutally murdered in Benapole municipality of Jashore, as assailants slit his throat with his own knife. The incident took place around 3am on Friday (29 August) at his home in Chhoto Achra village.
Mizanur, son of Hanif Sardar, was known for slaughtering cattle and selling meat at Benapole check-post every Friday. On the night of the incident, he left home as usual to slaughter cattle, but when he did not reach his shop, his colleagues searched for him. His wife later found his body in the yard.
Police said he was killed with the knife he used for his work. The body was recovered and sent for autopsy. His family demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the killers. His brother alleged that the murder was pre-planned.
Sub-Inspector Rasheduzzaman of Benapole Port Police Station said efforts are underway to identify the culprits. Police data show that in the past three months, five bodies have been recovered in the area, including two murder and three suicide cases.
Crime and Justice
Witness Testimony Continues in Purbachal Plot Scam Cases Against Hasina, Joy, and Putul
The second day of witness testimony has concluded in three corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged fraudulent allocation of 30 kathas of land in Dhaka’s Purbachal New Town Project.
On Tuesday (August 26), Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-5, presided over by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, recorded statements from 17 witnesses. Among them, 12 testified in the cases against Sheikh Hasina and Saima Wazed Putul, while 5 testified in the case against Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
Witnesses included Rajuk Deputy Director Mahbubur Rahman and several officials from Rajuk and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works. ACC Prosecutor Khan Md Moinul Hasan confirmed the proceedings.
The next hearing has been scheduled for September 2. Earlier, on August 11, three ACC officials who filed the cases testified.
On July 31, the court framed charges and issued arrest warrants against the accused, who remain absconding. In three separate cases, 12, 17, and 18 individuals stand accused, including Sheikh Hasina, her children, Sheikh Rehana, British MP Tulip Siddiq, and several Rajuk officials.
In Chuadanga’s Alokdia union, a long-standing land dispute led to the killing of a father and son on Tuesday (26 August). The victims were identified as Tayeb Ali (40) and his son Miraj (20).
According to police, the attack took place around 11:30 am while the two were drying jute in a field. Their relatives, Babu and Raju, attacked them with sharp weapons. Miraj died on the spot, while Tayeb Ali succumbed to his injuries on the way to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Locals said the dispute over just 1.5 kathas of land had been ongoing for months, with several failed arbitration attempts.
Additional Superintendent of Police Naser Alam confirmed the incident, saying both Babu and Raju were arrested from the scene, and legal proceedings are underway.
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