Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 246 Wed. February 02, 2005  
   
Metropolitan


Odhikar report
58 killed by law enforcing agencies in Jan
Political violence claims 41


As many as 58 people were killed by the law enforcing agencies last month, according to a report by Odhikar, a human rights organisation.

Of them, 55 fell victim to crossfire with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Chita, Cobra and police. The others died in thana and jail custody.

The Odhikar prepared the report on the basis of the reports published in 12 newspapers in January.

Also, 41 people were killed, 697 injured and 304 arrested in different incidents of human rights violations related to politics, said the report.

Former finance minister Shah AMS Kibria and four others were killed in a grenade attack in Habiganj in the last week of January.

Besides, two journalists received death threats, eight were injured and 11 others faced harassment. Cases were also filed against eight journalists and four others were attacked.

Unknown criminals also threatened all the journalists in Baufal, Patuakhali, with death on January 20.

Violence against women and children also continued unabated.

According to the report, 50 women and children were raped and 13 of them were killed. Also, five women and three children fell victim to acid attacks.

A total of 102 children faced different forms of violence in the country. Of them, 34 children were killed and 14 kidnapped and six fell victim to trafficking and four committed suicide.

In Chittagong Hill Tracts, four people were killed and four others injured in incidents of human rights violations, the report added.