The number of homicides in the country dropped slightly in 2002, compared to that of the previous year, according to a survey conducted by a human rights organisation.

But it was still too high for the law and order situation to improve perceptibly. According to the survey report of Odhikar, a human rights

organisation, a total of 3,323 people were killed in 2002, while the previous year witnessed 3,412 murders. But another organisation, Bureau of Human Rights Bangladesh-BHRB, said that the last year witnessed 3,361 murders - 78 more than the number recorded in 2001.

A total of 76 people were killed and more than five hundred others injured in 187 bomb blast incidents in 2002. A total of 74 people lost their

lives and 1,294 others were injured in actions on the part of law enforcers during the time. Meanwhile, 42 people died during the Operation Clean Heart. During the year, 1,040 women were violated while 342 others came under acid attack.

One journalist was killed and 104 others were injured in 114 incidents of journalists coming under attack.

Mohammed Alam, an industrialist, and three of his women domestic

helps were slaughtered and cash and gold ornaments worth about Tk 4 core were looted from his residence in city's New Jurain area on January 1 night.

On January 9, outraged villagers beat and killed six alleged highway robbers at Sakta village in Keraniganj. Haris Ahmed, a Jubo Dal leader and two of his assailants -Partho and Mizan - were killed in the

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armed attack, a sequel to intra-party rivalry, at Tongi Bazar on January 24.

Three suspected muggers, who shot two employees of a private firm and snatched away Tk 2.60 lakh, were burnt to death by a mob in city's Motijheel commercial area on January 28.

Schoolboy Khandaker Shihab Ahmed 13, was kidnapped for ransom and murdered after he recognised one of the kidnappers who happened to be a resident of his locality. The incident came to light on April 1, 53 days after the boy was killed. Four people were awarded the death penalty by a court on July 17.

Schoolgirl Mahima 15, of Kanthalbaria village of Puthia in Rajshahi, was abducted and gang raped by four youths identified as activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in the afternoon of February 15. The rapists also took photograph of the beastly act. Mahima committed suicide on February 19. Police submitted the charge sheet in the Mahima gang rape case, showing three of the four accused absconding. A special court sentenced to death all the four accused in the Mahima kidnap and rape case on October 9.

Sheikh Harun-ur-Rashid of Dainik Purbachal was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on his way to office in Khulna City on March 2. On

March 4, masked armed bandits, in a commando style operation, looted money and prize bonds from a bank vault and its cash counter at Manik Miah Avenue in the city.

Jamaluddin Fakir, a college student and a member of the Kapasia unit of the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), and president of Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Smriti library, was picked up by police and allegedly tortured to death inside the Kapasia Police Station in the morning of April 19.

Ganojaoti Mohasthobir, a Buddhist monk in-charge of Hoara Puyan Buddha Bihar, was slain in a temple in Hingala village under Raozan Thana in Chittagong on April 22.

A 20-month-old baby died in her father's lap as a stray bullet fired by fleeing snatchers hit her in the head at Badda in the city on May 9. Four were chargesheeted in the baby Naushin murder case on August 21.

Saidur Rahman Newton, a newly elected ward commissioner of Mirpur, was killed and two of his aides were wounded at Dhanmondi in the city on May 9.

Rafiqul Islam, a policeman, and a member of Ansar were gunned down by drug peddlers in two incidents in the city on May 13.

The government decided to deploy one platoon of BDR at each police station for a joint drive with police and Ansar to net notorious criminals and improve law and order

on May 13.

A young butcher of Narayanganj, who was picked up by detectives on May 7, died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on May 18.

JCD leader Sagir Hossain and his friend Asaduzzaman Ritu were gunned down at Nazrul Islam Road in Mohammadpur area on May 19.

Two under-trial prisoners died at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital following alleged police torture. The victims are Awami League leader and a union parishad member, Fazlul Huq Bhuiyan 40, who died at the DMCH on May 20. Rickshawpuller Mohammad Alam was picked up by DB police and handed over to Kamrangirchar police. He died at the DMCH on May 20.

A BNP-backed ward commissioner of the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), Binoy Krisna Sarkar Bina was gunned down at Sharna Patti of Tanti Bazaar in the old part of the city on May 22.

Expatriate Abdul Hye, who had just returned home from Malaysia, died after muggers threw him out of a taxicab at Natunbazar in the city's Badda area on May 31.

Paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), during an anti-crime drive on June 1, beat to death a fish trader, Mohammad Sohel, at Swarighat in Lalbagh area. The victim's mother filed a case , but she was allegedly forced by the police to withdraw it.

Sabekun Nahar Sonny, a student of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), was killed in crossfire during a gunfight between two factions of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on the university campus on June 8.

State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar filed a GD with the Ramna police, following an alleged death threat by a leading businessman on June 8.

Sadia Sultana Trisha, a student of class four in Madyapara Government Primary School in Gaibandha town, drowned on July 17, as she jumped into a pond at Khanapara to save herself from three vagabond boys chasing her. Three persons were sentenced to death in this case by a court in Gaibandha on September 30.

A Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inspector, Nazrul Islam was knifed to death by muggers at Asad Gate Bus Stand in city's Mohammadpur area on July 25. The muggers also took away his service revolver from him. Four people were chargesheeted in the case on December 31.

A local BNP leader and a restaurant owner were shot dead by an armed gang at city's West Agargaon area on August 3.

Ansar personnel shot four persons dead as they opened fire during a clash between some local youths and devotees over the

possession of a mosque at Malibagh in the capital on August 15.

A listed criminal of Tejgaon area shot three persons including an industrialist and a police officer dead, and was lynched by a mob three hours later on August 17.

Armed cadres of the ruling party in Satkhira attacked opposition leader Sheikh Hasina's motorcade on August 30.

Three people were killed and over one hundred injured in two bomb blasts at a cinema and a circus in Satkhira town on September 28.

Outlawed, equipped with stenguns and LMGs, attacked Randhunibari police camp in Belkuchui, killed four policemen and looted 12 rifles along with ammunition on September 16.

A ward commissioner of the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), Shadat Hossain Shikder, commissioner of ward 90, was gunned down in front of the hostel of Holy Child Pre-cadet School on September 29.

KM Ahmed Raju, a ward commissioner, was shot and killed by unidentified-armed men in front of his office at Mohammadpur in the city on October 1.

Two young men - Mamun and Khairul - were shot dead inside a two-storied building undergoing demolition at Segunbagicha in the city on October 5.

The army launched a massive crackdown on criminals across the country from the early hours of October 17. Two people -Yaqub Ali Patwari and Jahangir - died during interrogation on the first day of the army drive.

Armed miscreants shot dead a teacher, Swapan Goswami, of the Government Laboratory High School near his residence at Bhutergoli area on October 26.

A class III student of Armanitola School, Rubayet Ahmed Bappi, abducted from the old part of the city, was killed and dumped into the river Shitalakaya and his body was found floating in the river on August 14. Five people, including a cousin of the victim, were sentenced to death on November 30.

Two barbers were killed at their shop at Basiruddin Road in Dhanmondi on November 4. Notorious criminal Kala Faruq was arrested at Zia International Airport minutes before he was to fly to Sweden. He died in police custody on November 5.

Syeda Tania Mahbub Tinni, a model and performer, was murdered and her body was found at Keraniganj on November 11.

At least 19 people were killed and 200 others injured in powerful bomb blasts in four cinema halls in Mymensingh town on December 7.