Staff Reporter :At least 30 people were killed in crossfire in February last as extra judicial killing has taken a serious turn in the country, according to a report of human rights organization ‘Odhikar’. Out of the crossfire victims, 20 people were reportedly killed by Police, eight by Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and two by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). In the most cases, the activists of opposition political parties were the victims of crossfire, the report said.In all, 42 persons were killed in crossfire in the first two months of the current year, while the total number of killing in crossfire was 119 in last year. Apart from that, nine people were also shot to death by the law enforcement agencies in January and February. According to report, law enforcement agencies also crippled 18 people firing shot in their legs during the months. It also observed that the incidents of political violence, including throwing of petrol bomb, are also taking place at an alarming rate, causing great harm to people’s lives. People are being seriously injured and even killed when petrol bombs are hurled on or into public vehicles during the ongoing political violence. According to Odhikar report, 38 persons were killed and 714 injured in political violence in February. Among them, 31 persons were succumbed to injuries due to petrol bomb and arson attacks during blockades and hartals.Enforced disappearances also appeared as a cause for concern as 21 people became the victims of it in the first two months of the current year. Odhikar report suggested that seven persons were disappeared in February. Of them, the bodies of three persons have been found, while one was later handed over to police. In the most cases of enforced disappearances, the family members of the victims said some people claiming to be members of law enforcement agencies picked up them, but the law enforcement agencies deny their arrests.
