Of them, 85 were killed in 'crossfire' or 'encounter' by Rab while the rest by police, an ASK study of newspaper reports said yesterday, adding, "These extra-judicial killings have violated human rights in one side and marred the country's image and democratic growth."

Sixty-four journalists fell victim to ruling party-sponsored persecution and attack during this period while 80 others were attacked, tortured, harassed and received life threats by criminals since January this year, said the study based on reports of 12 national dailies.

Two journalists were killed and cases were filed against 43 journalists for publishing reports.

Twenty-five people were killed and 4,030 injured in 210 incidents of political violence.

On an average, 15,203 people were arrested during each incident of political violence, according to the report.

A total of 353 militants were arrested in last six months.

The ASK release said workers' unrest at over 200 garment factories during the period left two killed and over 400 injured.

The administration imposed section 144 in the country 64 times in the last six months.

Nine prisoners and 19 detainees died in jail custody.

Meantime, the Human Rights and Legal Aid Committee of Bangladesh Bar Council yesterday said that 1,790 people were killed in different rights violation incidents since January 1 this year.

Sixty-six fell victim to gang rape while 39 of them were killed after rape. Total 50 children were raped.

Eighty-eight people were killed and 48 tortured for dowry. Thirty-one women were killed by their husbands, it added.

Seventy-five people were acid-burnt while 28 fell victim to fatwa.

Nine people were killed and 61 injured in bomb blasts while 248 abductions took place.

The report said 60 people were killed by the Indian Border Security Force.