Bangladesh sees nearly 60 cases of political violence, 2 deaths in run up to polls: Report

Pre-poll violence in Bangladesh has risen sharply ahead of the February 12 elections, according to human rights body Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). Ahead of its 13th National Parliamentary elections, incidents of political violence and assaults on media professionals are continuing unchecked as per the report. Bangladesh is already in focus for its failure to curb violence against the Hindu minority. In a statement issued on Tuesday, ASK said at least 47 journalists faced violence during the first 10 days of February alone. ALSO READ | Bangladesh set to vote, worried Hindus ask: ‘Who will protect us?’ The organisation’s figures show that between February 1 and 10, a total of 58 incidents of political unrest were recorded across the country, resulting in two deaths and injuries to 489 people. This marked an increase from the final 10 days of January, when 49 violent incidents left four people dead and 414 injured. Earlier data also points to a steady rise. From January 1 to 10, ASK documented eight incidents that led to five deaths and 26 injuries, while between January 11 and 20, 18 incidents resulted in two deaths and 176 people being injured. “In December 2025, a total of 18 incidents of political violence were recorded, resulting in 268 injuries and 4 deaths. In contrast, January 2026 saw a sharp increase, with 75 incidents of political violence, leaving 616 people injured and 11 people killed,” the ASK report read. ## Journalists targeted ASK flagged the growing targeting of journalists reporting on election-related developments as a serious concern. Its review found that 11 journalists were attacked in December 2025, 16 in January 2026, and at least 47 in the first 10 days of February 2026. The rights group highlighted a February 7 incident in which 21 journalists from the online outlet Bangladesh Times were taken from their offices to a military camp and detained for nearly two hours, describing it as a significant blow to press freedom. ALSO READ | From margins to centre stage, Jamaat’s new role in Bangladesh’s poll battle Warning that political activity is becoming increasingly aggressive as polling day nears, ASK said the rising levels of violence and intimidation of media workers could undermine the prospects of a credible election. The organisation called on all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and protect citizens’ constitutional rights to life and personal liberty. It also urged the creation of conditions that would allow voters to cast their ballots freely and without fear in the forthcoming polls. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More