CRIMES IN 2025Murder, mob violence, extrajudicial and border killings on rise: HRSS

Criminal activities remained a persistent concern in the country throughout 2025, with several categories of crime showing an alarming rise compared to the previous year, according to official data and a human rights organisation.

Murder, mob violence, attacks on shrines and journalists, violence against women and children, extrajudicial killings and border-related deaths all in-creased in the immediate past year, adding to mounting pressure on law enforcement and governance institutions.

Statistics from the Police Headquarters show that 168,505 criminal cases, including 3,509 murders, were recorded in the first 11 months of 2025.

In comparison, 172,005 cases, including 3,432 murders, were registered throughout all 12 months of 2024. The data indicates a higher murder rate in a shorter time span in 2025.

With these, the illegal push-ins from India caused an extra burden and pressure on the country to deal with.

Crime analyst Dr Md Tawohidul Haque said that last year’s law-and-order situation “does not deserve any praise.” There were widespread fears of mob violence and instability throughout the year,” he said.

He attributed the surge in criminal activities to the absence of exemplary action against perpetrators.

According to the annual report of the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) shared with journalists on Thursday, at least 914 incidents of political violence took place in 2025. These incidents left 133 people dead and 7,511 others injured.

Of those killed, 93 belonged to the BNP, 23 to the Awami League, which faces a ban on its activities, and three to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Mob violence also escalated in the just concluded year as it saw 292 incidents, resulting in 168 deaths and 248 injuries. On the contrary, 2024 recorded 201 such incidents, killing 179 people and injuring 88.

Attacks on journalists rose slightly as well. At least 318 attacks were reported in 2025, compared to 309 in 2024. Extrajudicial killings saw a notable increase, with HRSS documenting at least 40 such deaths in 2025, up from 25 in 2024.

Some 2,047 women and girls were subjected to violence last year against 1,499 in the previous year.

Of the victims, 828 were raped, while at least 28 were killed after rape and 10 committed suicide, according to the HRSS report. In addition, 35 women were killed and 32 were injured over dowry-related disputes.

Family feuds continued to claim lives, with 189 people killed, 133 injured, and 194 suicides reported in 2025.

Children – both boys and girls – remained highly vulnerable, with the report noting that 1,371 were subjected to torture during the year. Among them, 288 were killed, while 1,083 suffered physical and mental abuse.

Border-related violence also saw an increase, according to the HRSS report.

It said Indian Border Security Force (BSF) killed 32 Bangladeshis, injured 39, and arrested 63 in 2025. In comparison, 2024 saw 26 border killings, 25 injuries, and 158 arrests in 57 incidents involving the BSF.

Besides, seven Bangladeshis were shot to death by Indian citizens in border areas.

In 2024, the BSF was involved in 57 attacks, resulting in 26 deaths of Bangladeshis, 25 injuries, and 158 arrests.

Besides, at least 3,493 people, including Indians, were pushed into Bangladesh while the Indian Coast Guard picked up 143 Bangladeshi fishermen.

Two Bangladeshi nationals were killed by Myanmar’s Arakan Army, and two were injured. Besides, one was killed, and 12 others were injured in explosions of mines laid by the Arakan Army, while the militia abducted 176 fishermen with 21 trawlers. Religious sites were not spared either. At least 56 shrines were attacked and looted in 2025, leaving one baul singer dead and around 50 others injured.

HRSS Executive Director Ejajul Islam said that restoring law and order requires collective action. “Establishing the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions, and ensuring human rights protection demand coordi-nated efforts from all levels of the state and society,” he said.