437 extra-judicial killings in 10 months: ASK

Some 437 people fell victims to extrajudicial killings across the country in 10 months from January this year, according to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), reports UNB.

The human rights body came up with the statistics at a citizen dialogue with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the Daily Star Centre in the city.

During the period until October 31, a total of 26 people were also made disappeared, it said noting that the NHRC should perform a vital role to prevent such incidents.

From May 15 to October 31 this year, some 278 people were killed in anti-drug drives across the country, the rights body said. "Stern action against drug trade is appreciable but an offender should be tried as per the law," it said.

Although the NHRC had sent 185 letters to the home ministry from 2012 to 2017 seeking reports on the incidents of human rights violation by law enforcers, no response was found in this regard, ASK said citing media reports.