STAFF CORRESPONDENT

At least 39 inmates died in prisons across the country in the first three months of this year, according to a quarterly human rights monitoring report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

Among the deceased were 16 convicts and 23 undertrial prisoners. Of them, 12 were leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies, while the remaining 27 were general inmates.

The HRSS prepared the January–March 2026 report based on its own findings and reports published in 16 national media outlets.

According to the report, Proloy Chaki, 60, Pabna district AL cultural affairs secretary and singer, died in custody on January 12, with his family alleging inadequate treatment.

Former water resources minister Ramesh Chandra Sen died on February 7 after falling ill in jail. He was later declared dead at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital. He had been in Dinajpur District Jail in three cases since his arrest on August 16, 2024.

The report also highlighted mob violence, stating that at least 49 people were killed in 88 incidents during the three months.

It said one man was beaten to death in Magura on January 7 over suspected cattle theft, another in Pabna on January 13, two in Gaibandha on February 20 over alleged robbery, and two in Munshiganj on March 4 after being tied to a tree and beaten over alleged theft.

The HRSS said the January–March period was a time of concern in terms of political transition and the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

It noted that the February 12 parliamentary election under the interim government and the February 17 swearing-in of the new government created an opportunity for political continuity, but violence before and after the polls contributed to insecurity.

According to the report, at least 36 people, including 28 BNP members, were killed and 4,078 injured in 610 incidents of political violence during the period. It said 94 percent of the incidents On

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