Mobocracy takes centrestage in Bangladesh

Mobocracy is the order of the day in Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power through a movement that was allegedly influenced by Pakistan-backed Islamists.

At least 28 people have died in mob beatings in September, said a report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). At least 14 people were injured in these incidents.

In addition, at least 16 people were killed in 83 incidents of political violence, said the organisation. Of the incidents, 45 were caused by internal conflicts within BNP, while 23 were between BNP and Awami League (AL). Among the dead, 11 were from BNP and five were from AL, according to a report in The Daily Star.


HRSS compiled these statistics based on news reported in national media of Bangladesh.

A total of nine people were killed extrajudicially in September, including two members of the indigenous community who were killed in an army shooting in Khagrachhari. This also includes the death of a garment worker in police firing in Ashulia.

"Additionally, media reports and victims' families indicate that four individuals died due to torture during joint operations by law enforcement agencies. The victims were Sohrab Hossain alias Apple, 35, and Shafiqul Islam, 45, of Gaibandha. Moreover, a complaint of death of a person named Syed Nurul Karim, 55, has been found in the custody of the officials of Narayanganj Narcotics Control Department," said the HRSS report.

Sources said that in number of cases personal grievances are being settled through mob lynching in medieval style threatening to tarnish Bangladesh image that had improved over the last 15 years as the country made steady economic progress. In many cases Islamists are restoring to mob lynching in their attempt to create a conservative order in society.