And 48 people remained missing while 50 others were abducted from the char areas, according to a research report published by Samata, a non-government organisation.

The figures are compiled from reports published in two Bangla newspapers - the daily Ittefaq and daily Sangbad - from 1991 to 2002.

Looting of crops, land grabbing, robbery and violence against women made the headlines as 219 such incidents took place during the period, said the report presented at a press conference in the city yesterday.

Chittagong and Barisal divisions witnessed 76 per cent of 219 incidents, it said.

The report also identified five districts - Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Barisal, Potuakhali and Bhola - as the 'most violence-prone' areas.

The highest 40 per cent incidents took place in Chittagong division while 36 per cent in Barisal, 14 per cent in Dhaka, seven per cent in Rajshahi and three per cent in Khulna.

Researcher Sayed Shahriar Amin presented the research report. Director of Samata Sohel Ibn Ali, Executive Director Mohammad Abdul Kader, and Programme Officer Taufique Mohiuddin were present at the press conference.

The researcher said crop cycle and natural disasters are mainly responsible for the violence.

He also identified other reasons for the violence - such as land settlement issue, loopholes in Shikasthi-Poishthi law, corruption of local administration, presence of outlaws, communication problem, use of char areas as corridor for smuggling operations, and political confrontation.

Shahriar recommended some measures to bring an end to the violence in char areas.

The measures include distributing lands among the landless, amending Shikasthi-Poishthi law, curbing corruption, stepping up security during harvesting season and developing char areas.