At least 28 people were killed and 62 injured in 53 incidents of mob violence and mob beatings across Bangladesh in August, according to a monthly report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

The report, released to the media on Thursday (3 September), also documented at least 70 incidents of political violence during the month. Seven people were killed and more than 536 injured in those incidents.

The HRSS compiled the report using reports published by 16 national media outlets alongside its own investigations.

Political violence increased sharply in August compared with July. In July, 45 incidents left six people dead and 164 injured. In August, the number of incidents rose to 70, while fatalities increased to seven and injuries more than tripled.

Internal conflicts within the BNP accounted for 20 incidents in August, leaving five people dead and at least 152 injured. Eighteen clashes between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami resulted in one death and 233 injuries. Seven confrontations between the BNP and Awami League left one person dead and 26 injured.

Six clashes between the BNP and NCP injured 16 people, while 10 incidents involving the BNP and other political parties left 38 injured. A further nine clashes involving different political groups resulted in 71 injuries.

Of the seven people killed in political violence, five were affiliated with the BNP, one with the Awami League and one with Jamaat-e-Islami.

Campus clashes leave 216 injured

Violence involving student organisations was also recorded across campuses. According to the HRSS, at least 13 such incidents left 216 people injured.

Eight clashes between Chhatra Dal and Shibir accounted for 181 injuries, while five incidents involving Chhatra Dal, other student organisations and general students left another 35 people injured.

The organisation said most political violence was linked to disputes over influence, political rivalry, attacks, internal party conflicts and extortion. It also recorded attacks on political activists, shootings, vandalism and arson in several districts.

In at least four attacks attributed to miscreants, two people were killed and three injured. At least 12 political activists were reportedly shot.

In 19 separate incidents linked to struggles over influence, control, political disputes and extortion, more than 50 homes, businesses and party offices were attacked, looted, vandalised or set on fire.

The forthcoming local government elections also featured in some of the violence. In Kushtia and Satkhira, clashes involving candidates and their supporters left at least nine people injured during August.

More than 62 political cases filed

HRSS reported that more than 62 cases were filed against activists and supporters of different political parties during the month. The cases named 1,125 people, while around 2,209 others were listed as unidentified accused.

Across 162 incidents involving political and other cases, a total of 12,823 people were arrested during August. Among them were at least 429 Awami League members, 22 BNP members, four Jamaat-e-Islami members, nine NCP members and five members of extremist organisations, according to the report.

45 journalists face violence or harassment

Journalists also faced pressure during the month. HRSS recorded at least 32 incidents of violence and harassment affecting 45 journalists.

Of them, 26 were injured, six were subjected to physical or verbal humiliation, seven received threats and five were detained.

One journalist was accused in a case filed over the publication of a report. Another was accused in a case brought under the Cyber Security Act 2026.

The report further claimed that law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed 13 meetings and rallies during August. Those incidents left 61 people injured and eight detained.

HRSS also documented eight incidents involving alleged interference with freedom of expression. Ten people were detained, eight cases were filed and at least 11 people were accused.

According to the report, two people were detained over criticism of the Prime Minister, one over producing political and other content, two over allegations of hurting religious sentiments or making derogatory remarks, and six in connection with other incidents.

Four cases were also filed under different provisions of the Cyber Security Act 2026, involving five accused, all of whom were detained.

Women and children remain particularly vulnerable

The HRSS report recorded 249 cases involving violence against women and girls in August. At least 79 victims were reportedly raped, including 46 children or adolescents under the age of 18, accounting for 58 per cent of the total.

Another 18 women and girls were reportedly subjected to gang rape, while 93 were victims of sexual assault. Among those subjected to sexual assault were 38 children.

Dowry-related violence resulted in six women’s deaths, seven injuries and one suicide. Domestic violence claimed 49 lives, injured 31 people and was linked to the suicides of 23 women.

The report separately recorded 282 children as victims of abuse during August. Seventy-seven children died, while 205 suffered physical or psychological abuse.

Labour violence and workplace deaths

At least 84 incidents of violence against workers were recorded during the month, leaving 19 people dead and at least 67 injured.

Workplace accidents reportedly claimed the lives of at least 63 workers, with unhealthy working conditions and a lack of protective equipment cited in the report.

Two domestic workers also died in separate incidents, while another domestic worker was reportedly subjected to abuse.

Three killed along the borders

At the India-Bangladesh border, HRSS recorded eight incidents involving alleged attacks by the Border Security Force, in which two people were killed and one injured. Five people were detained from border areas.

The report also said five people were pushed into Bangladesh through different border points, while attempts were made to push in another 18 people.

Along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, a landmine explosion killed one Bangladeshi youth and injured another. Three people were also detained from the waterways, according to the report.

87 bodies recovered from different locations

HRSS reported the recovery of 87 bodies in 82 incidents from rivers, canals, forests and abandoned locations across the country during August.

Among the recovered bodies, 12 were found inside sacks, 17 were found hanging and 26 bore multiple injury marks. Nine had reportedly been decapitated and eight were found with their hands and feet tied. The remaining 15 bodies were recovered under various circumstances.

At least six people also died in different prisons during the month, including one convicted prisoner and five detainees. One of the deceased was an Awami League member, while the other five were described as ordinary prisoners or detainees.

Speaking about the overall situation, HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam said Bangladesh’s human rights situation had entered a sensitive and changing phase during August. He linked the growing concerns to the country’s recent political circumstances, debates surrounding the national parliament and continuing concerns over public security.

HRSS called on the government to take accountable and responsible measures to prevent any further deterioration of the country’s human rights situation.