United News of Bangladesh

The human rights situation across Bangladesh showed a further deterioration in February compared to January this year, particularly in terms of post-election violence, political arrests, violence against women and children, and border-related incidents, according to a report by Manabadhikar Sanskriti Foundation (MSF). The findings were revealed in MSF’s Human Rights Situation Monitoring Report for the month of February 2026, released on Saturday. MSF sees lack of effective measures by BSF to stop border incidents MSF said that although no major violence was reported on the day of the 13th parliamentary election on February 12, incidents of violence, casualties, politically and personally motivated attacks, clashes, violence against women, and arson occurred in different parts of the country following the announcement of the election and referendum results. According to data published in the media and collected by MSF, a total of 799 people were victims of election-related violence in 136 incidents in February. Among them, five people, including a child, were killed and 794 others injured. Of the 136 incidents, 65 occurred before the election, leaving 385 people injured. On election day, 14 incidents were reported with 98 people injured. In 57 post-election incidents, five people, including a child, were killed and 311 others injured. MSF concludes emergency response supporting flood-affected patients in Noakhali MSF also reported that 40 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations in connection with cases related to the anti-discrimination student movement and the fall of the government, were arrested. Among them, one person was arrested in connection with the quota reform movement. Regarding violence against women and children, MSF said 253 incidents were recorded in February, four fewer than the previous month. The month saw 33 rape cases, 12 gang rapes, and five incidents of rape followed by murder. Among the rape survivors were six adolescent girls and women with disabilities. On the border situation, MSF said six Bangladeshi nationals were tortured by Indian citizens in the presence of members of India’s Border Security Force (BSF). A Bangladeshi fishing boat along with 28 fishermen was detained from the Bay of Bengal by the Indian Coast Guard. In Kurigram’s Roumari border area, the BSF allegedly took away 95 cattle. Additionally, seven Bangladeshi youths were detained from border areas. Meanwhile, two fishermen were shot and injured by unidentified pirates while fishing in the Bay of Bengal. A child from Teknaf, who had been critically injured by gunfire from across the Myanmar border last month, died while undergoing treatment. Separately, five fishermen were detained along with their trawler by Myanmar’s armed group Arakan Army while returning from the Naf River in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. MSF said the incidents have created anxiety and fear among residents living in border areas and stressed the need for effective accountability, impartial investigations and preventive measures to control the situation.

A man was killed and 12 others injured in post-election violence in Char Abdullah village in  Munshiganj Sadar  on Friday. The deceased Jashim Uddin, 30, was a supporter of independent candidate Mohammad Mohiuddin, who contested the election with the football symbol after being denied the BNP nomination he so craved, and was later expelled from the party. Jashim was beaten to death by supporters of the winning BNP candidate  Kamruzzaman Ratan, along with his father Mafik Nayeb and elder brother Moshiur Nayeb, who were also injured. The injured were seriously hurt and taken to different hospitals. Jasim was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and died while receiving treatment. According to Moshiur Nayeb, the attack was led by Shakil Dewan, senior joint convener of the local Swechhasebak Dal supporting the local BNP or “sheaf of paddy” candidate. He said the family was attacked at home around 3pm, despite having no prior disputes. According to police, a group of 50–60 people entered Jashim’s house and beat him and his family members. Shakil Dewan denied involvement, claiming that Jashim and his supporters had attacked local “sheaf of paddy”(BNP) supporters earlier. “Later, I went to the police station to file a complaint about the incident. At that time, Jashim and his people were preparing to launch another attack as they were leaving the area. Then local people gathered and beat Jashim and his associates. I was not present at the scene,” he added. Mominul Islam, officer-in-charge of Munshiganj Sadar Police Station, said, “The incident was linked to a local dispute and election rivalry. Police are conducting raids to arrest the perpetrators.” Several crude bombs blast near Munshiganj polling centre, 5 held In other incidents in Munshiganj Sadar, 10 more people were injured in post-election clashes. In Munshiganj-3 constituency, Mohammad Kamruzzaman Ratan, central social welfare secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, won the seat contesting with the “sheaf of paddy” symbol.