STAFF CORRESPONDENT

A staggering 11,348 people fell victims to human rights violations -- including murders, injuries, torture, and attacks on minority communities -- in July and August 2024, according to a study by Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation.

The study, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, was unveiled yesterday at the Jatiya Press Club.

The report is based on key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and conversations with 12,434 people reached through household surveys.

Between July 1 and August 5, 2024, physical injuries accounted for 75 percent of documented cases, threats 9 percent, killings 8 percent, and torture 7 percent.

In the later half of August, after Sheikh Hasina fled, attacks on properties surged, with 38 percent involving arson, 34 percent vandalism and looting, 26 percent attacks on properties of minority communities, and 2 percent attacks on temples and shrines.

Of the 881 individuals killed, 763 were shot dead, 69 burned alive, 45 beaten to death, one was stabbed to death, and another was hit with a brick, finds the study.

Of the victims, 340 were aged between 20 and 30, at least 223 between 10 and 20, and six aged below 10.

Twenty-nine percent of the killings took place in Dhaka division, 20 percent Chattogram, 11 percent Mymensingh, 10 percent Barishal, 9 percent each in Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, 7 percent in Rangpur, and 5 percent Sylhet divisions.

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