Mob violence claims 133 in 6 mths: HRSS

At least 133 people were killed in incidents of mob violence and 56 others died in political violence across Bangladesh during the first six months of 2026, according to a report released by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) on Wednesday.

The semi-annual report, based on HRSS fact-finding missions, field information and reports published in 16 national media outlets, documented widespread rights violations involving women, children, journalists, political activists and detainees.

According to the report, 830 incidents of political violence left 5,246 people injured, including leaders and activists of various political parties and ordinary citizens. Of the 56 fatalities, 37 were BNP members, six Jamaat-e-Islami activists, three Awami League members, eight from other political parties, one from an extremist political organisation and one an ordinary woman.

HRSS said 673 incidents stemmed from internal BNP conflicts or clashes between the BNP and other political parties. It also recorded 396 election-related incidents, leaving 13 people dead and 2,578 injured, while more than 600 houses, businesses and election offices were allegedly attacked, vandalised, looted or set on fire.