121 Killed in Mob Beatings in Six Months, Human Rights Groups Express Concern

Staff Reporter

Two separate incidents of mob beating occurred in the capital, Dhaka, last night, one in Uttara and the other in Tongi, Gazipur. In these incidents, three individuals suspected of theft were beaten by locals, leaving them injured, while one young man was killed.

In Uttara’s House Building area, in front of the BNS Center, two individuals suspected of being robbers were severely beaten by locals. After the attack, they were tied by their legs and hung upside down from a footbridge. Police arrived at the scene and rescued the injured individuals, taking them to a local hospital. The victims were identified as Md. Nazim (40) and Md. Bakul (30).

Although no fatalities were initially reported in the Uttara incident, an hour later, police recovered the body of a young man suspected of robbery near the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway on Station Road in Tongi. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the deceased, but police estimate the man was between 25 and 30 years old.

Videos of the incidents have gone viral on social media, particularly footage showing a man hanging upside down from a footbridge in Uttara. In the video, a man wearing a yellow T-shirt is seen tying the victim to the bridge’s pole while others assist in hoisting him.

Rising Incidents of Mob Beatings and Killings
Human rights activists and lawyers have expressed concern over the increasing frequency of mob beatings, describing it as a sign of deteriorating law and order. Despite the rise in such incidents, authorities have reportedly taken no effective measures to address the issue.

According to the Manabadhikar Sangskriti Foundation (MSF), a human rights organization, 121 individuals were killed in mob beatings between August 2024 and January 2025. Another organization, Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), reported that 146 people were killed in mob violence in 2024.

Human rights advocates have linked the rise in mob violence to incidents following August 5, claiming the government has not taken steps to curb the violence. In some cases, mobs have reportedly been used for political purposes, further exacerbating the situation.

Causes and Concerns
Saeed Ahmed, a member of the South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) Bangladesh Bureau, stated that mob beatings reflect a lack of trust in law enforcement and the judicial system. He added that although this trust deficit could have been addressed through legal actions, no such efforts were made.

Activists also allege that these incidents are sometimes orchestrated. They claim certain groups affiliated with the government and individuals active on social media incite such violence. Police inaction and perceived intentional passivity are also cited as major contributors to the problem.

Legal Perspective
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Shahdeen Malik expressed deep concern over the issue, stating that mob beatings constitute murder under the law, and those involved should be treated as perpetrators. He emphasized that the lack of effective action by the government and law enforcement has allowed such incidents to persist.

“There seems to be little effort by the government to control mob beatings. The police force has failed in its duties, and bureaucratic inefficiency is worsening the situation. Without immediate intervention, improvements cannot be expected,” Malik said.

Rising Crime Statistics
According to police data, incidents of robbery and mugging have significantly increased over the past six months. A total of 1,145 robbery and mugging cases were filed during this period, a 50% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. In January alone, 242 such cases were reported, up from 230 in December.

Experts believe that fear of becoming a victim of crime has led ordinary citizens to take the law into their own hands, further escalating violence. They suggest that strict government measures are needed to control crimes and ensure punishment for those taking extrajudicial actions.

Human rights organizations have urged the government to take swift and effective measures to address this violence and prevent further deterioration of the situation.