At least 31 people have been killed in domestic political violence across Bangladesh in the four months since the formation of the government following the 13th parliamentary election, with clashes involving the ruling BNP, the main opposition Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and internal rivalries within the BNP raising concerns over the country’s political stability.
According to available information, 26 of the deaths resulted from internal BNP conflicts, while 5 occurred in clashes between BNP and Jamaat activists.
The violence has been linked to disputes over local dominance, political differences, the formation of educational institution management committees, influence in local areas, sand extraction, contracting, market leases and other financial interests.
Political clashes, attacks, vandalism and retaliatory violence involving activists of the two parties have become increasingly frequent across the country.
The latest incident took place on 26 June in Pabna, where BNP activist Manju Sheikh, 35, was killed during clashes and gunfire over sand extraction in the Padma River. Videos showing rivals being shot or hacked to death have also circulated widely on social media.
On 13 June, local Jubo Dal leader Masudul Haque Chowdhury, 45, was shot dead in Chowmuhani Bazar in Raozan. He was the younger brother of former Betagi Union Parishad chairman Muhammad Swapan and served as senior joint convener of Rangunia Upazila Jubo Dal. Video footage showing armed attackers leaving the scene in broad daylight spread widely on social media and drew nationwide attention.
Earlier, Hazratpur Union BNP general secretary Hasan Molla, 42, died on 24 January, 43 hours after being shot in Keraniganj. Many observers have described the series of political killings within a short period as an alarming sign.
Dr Towhidul Haque, associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka and a criminologist, said the killings over the past four months were a warning sign for political stability.
He said, “Political parties faced organisational shortcomings in controlling such violence. Although disciplinary measures were taken in several high-profile incidents, they failed to send an effective message to grassroots activists.”
According to him, the current political reality differs from the past, and political parties need to exercise greater restraint and tolerance. Otherwise, the violence could escalate further.
The April report by human rights organisation Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) stated that during the government's first three months, at least 25 people were killed in internal BNP conflicts and another five died in clashes between BNP and Jamaat.
More than 600 people were injured in over 150 clashes. Several more killings were reported during May and June.
A review of recent incidents suggests that most clashes stemmed from disputes over political dominance, internal rivalries, contracting, extortion, market leases, the sand trade and the formation of educational institution management committees. Analysts also point to growing intolerance towards differing political views and attempts to suppress rivals, causing minor disputes to escalate rapidly into violence.
The violence has also resulted in attacks on homes, businesses, vehicles and political offices, as well as vandalism, arson and looting.
In Sujanagar, Pabna, BNP activist Manju Sheikh was killed during clashes and gunfire over illegal sand extraction in the Padma River on 26 June. Police said the violence stemmed from a dispute over local dominance and that the investigation was continuing.
On 22 June, Chhatra Shibir leader Saifullah Bari, 24, was hacked to death in Gaibandha's Saghata Upazila following a dispute over the formation of a school management committee.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Chhatra Shibir blamed BNP activists for the killing, while the homes of Jubo Dal leaders Mokhlesur Rahman Mukul, Palash and Ashraf Khandaker were later set on fire.
On 15 June, Jamaat leader Asadul Islam was allegedly tied up, killed and his body burned in Kalukhali, Rajbari.
On 3 June, BNP activist Rana Mia was beaten to death in Char Ishwardia, Mymensingh, in what his family described as a politically motivated attack by local Jamaat activists. Jamaat denied the allegation, claiming the dispute was related to property rather than politics.
On 30 May, Jamaat leader Samiul Islam Abhi died while undergoing treatment after clashes between BNP and Jamaat activists over control of a local market in Palashbari, Gaibandha. Jamaat and Chhatra Shibir later staged protests.
Jamaat activist Hafizur Rahman died on 1 March after being injured in clashes between BNP and Jamaat activists in Jibannagar, Chuadanga, on 28 February.
In Keraniganj, Hazratpur Union BNP general secretary Hasan Molla died on 24 January after being shot outside a BNP office in Jagannathpur on 22 January. He died while on life support after being transferred from Dhaka Medical College Hospital to a private hospital.
Political analysts and leaders from different parties said the recent violence had largely been driven by competition over the distribution of power, local dominance and the preservation of political influence.
According to observers, in almost every political killing over the past four months, BNP and Jamaat have blamed each other while attempting to avoid responsibility themselves.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General and former MP Hamidur Rahman Azad said law and order had deteriorated across the country.
"It is not only BNP or Jamaat supporters who are being killed. On average, more than 10 people are being killed across the country every day. We have been protesting against these incidents, but the government has failed to take effective measures to control the situation," he said.
BNP Joint Secretary General and Mymensingh District Council Administrator Syed Emran Saleh Prince said not every killing should automatically be viewed as politically motivated.
"In many cases, personal disputes or local conflicts are being portrayed as political incidents. Organisational efforts are under way to identify such cases," he said.
Analysts warned that if the current trend of political violence continued, it could pose a serious challenge not only to law and order but also to Bangladesh's broader political stability and democratic environment.