At least 840 people have been killed in mob beating incidents in the country since January 1, 2011 as the heinous crime is going on with a public perception that the perpetrators of such brutal act go unpunished, said experts, reports UNB.
They also think that lack of people's respect for law, negative idea about law enforcement agencies, absence of the rule of law, growing inequality and the degradation in social values fueled the sudden spate in mob beating in the country.
Talking to the news agency, Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Serajul Islam Chowdhury, its Social Sciences Faculty Dean Prof Sadeka Halim, Supreme Court senior lawyer Subrata Chowdhury and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) Executive Director Sheepa Hafiza said the recent killing of over two dozen of innocent people by vigilante mobs over the rumours of child lifting has manifested how the old social menace has taken a new turn with the growing stupidity of a section of people.
According to, Ain o Salish Kendra, 134 people were killed in mob lynching in 2011 while 126 in 2012, 128 in 2013, 127 in 2014, 135 in 2015, 51 in 2016, 50 in 2017, 39 in 2018 and 50 in 2019 till July 24.
Of theme, 358 people were killed in Dhaka division alone while 211 in Chattogram division. Most of them came under mob attacks due to suspicion that they are either robbers, thieves, snatchers, child lifters or petty criminals.
As per data of another rights body Odhikar, 1150 people were killed in mob attacks in between 20009 and June 2019.
Of the total victims, 127 people were killed in 2009, 174 in 2010, 161 in 2011, 132 in 2012, 125 in 2013, 116 in 2014, 132 in 2015, 53 in 2016, 47 in 2017, 48 in 2018 and 35 in the first six months of 2019.
Sheepa Hafiza said the incidents of killing in mass beating incidents happened due to the prevailing culture of impunity. "Most people are not aware of the punishment for indulging in mob beatings. Many people believe there's no punishment if anyone is killed in any lynch-mob attack."
The ASK executive director said the perpetrators of such killing should be tried promptly and given exemplary punishment to prevent the recurrence of such inhuman and brutal act.
Advocate Subrata Chowdhury said all the deaths caused by mob beating incidents are murders, and the offenders can be given death penalty for such crime as per the law.
"Even the onlookers of any mass beating are considered abettors of offenders and can be punished. But most perpetrators of such heinous crime go unpunished for the weak enforcement of law."
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
