The Awami League is grappling with a troubling rise in internal violence, with 40 of its leaders and activists killed in the last six months due to party infighting and power struggles, according to data from Bangladesh Pratidin and the human rights organization Law and Arbitration Center (ASK). This list includes party MPs as well as grassroots workers. Additionally, 12 other party members have been killed over trivial disputes.
Since securing its fourth consecutive term in power, the Awami League has seen a wave of internal conflicts turning deadly, weakening the party's organizational base. Party insiders and political analysts attribute these conflicts to leaders and activists seeking personal benefits, resulting in increased violence.
One of the most high-profile incidents was the murder of three-time MP Anwarul Azim Anar from Jhenaidah-4 Constituency. Anar was in India for treatment and was found murdered in Newtown on May 22. Several Awami League leaders and Anar's close associates, including Jhenaidah District Awami League General Secretary Saidul Karim Mintu, were arrested in connection with the murder.
Law enforcement officials believe it was premeditated, and intelligence agencies are investigating the motive behind the killing.
Abdus Salam, General Secretary of Nyalavanga Union Awami League, was killed in Ranihati of Chapainawabganj on the night of June 27. At that time, miscreants also killed teacher Abdul Matin in Harinagar High School. On the same day, Finance Secretary Suruj Mia of Kashipur Union Awami League, Fatulla of Narayanganj was hacked to death. The deceased had a dispute with Salahuddin Salu and Hira of the area.
On June 22, General Secretary of Upazila Awami League Ashraful Islam Babul was injured in an attack on a human chain demanding increase in municipal services and tax reduction in Bagha Upazila of Rajshahi. Municipal mayor Akkas Ali and his followers were allegedly involved in the attack. The injured Babul underwent surgery on June 23. Then taken to ICU. Babul died on June 26. Local internal conflict is being blamed for this incident.
Zahirul Islam Babu Sheikh, president of Ward No 9 of Goeshpur Union of Pabna Sadar Upazila, was shot and killed by masked gunmen on the night of June 8. Babu Sheikh is the son of deceased Azahar Sheikh of Manohpur village.
On June 5, a Chhatra League leader shot dead another Chhatra League leader in Brahmanbaria town. The incident took place during a joyous procession among the supporters of the chairman candidate at the College Para Hostel junction after the polling of the Upazila Sadar was over. Killed Chhatra League leader Ayesh Rahman Ijaz. The accused is Hasal Al Farabi, the vice-president of the District Chhatra League.
On June 5, a Jubo League leader was killed in Chandina Upazila of Comilla. The murder took place in the house of Akkas Ali in Gamara village of Badera Union of Upazila. On the same day, Awami League leader Sohrab Khan was killed by an opponent in Tongibari, Munshiganj. At this time, the deceased's son, Johnny Khan, was injured. The incident took place in front of the Police Investigation Center of Upazila Dighirpar Bazar at noon.
Jubo League leader Al Amin Mia was hacked to death by miscreants due to Sujanagar upazila election dispute on June 21. He was a supporter of the defeated candidate Shahinuzzaman Shaheen in the upazila elections.
On June 27, an Awami League activist named Mozahar Biswas died after being seriously injured in an attack on a political dispute in Sujanagar Upazila of Pabna. It is said that he was an supporter of Upazila Awami League President and Upazila Chairman Abdul Wahab.
Shahriar Murad, the organizing secretary of Baharchra Union Chhatra League, was murdered in Shamlapur Bazar of Baharchra Union in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar on May 7. On April 12, Chhatra League leader M Sajeev was murdered in Chandraganj, Lakshmipur, in connection with the financial transactions of the trade of party posts. The relatives of the slain Chhatra League leader claimed that the deceased Sajeeb had financial dealings with Kazi Mamunur Rashid Babul, convener of Chandraganj Thana Secha Sebok League. There was a dispute about this at that time. As a result, he was shot and hacked to death.
On March 29, Chhatra League leader Mukhles Uddin Bhuya's childhood friend Mizan Sheikh was hacked to death. On January 7, Union Secha Sebok League President Kazi Ziaul Islam Fuad was hacked to death by miscreants on his way home from a procession in Siddhakathi Union of Nalchiti Upazila of Jhalkathi.
Shariful Islam, treasurer of Municipal Awami League in Kurigram town, hacked to death on February 9. Ripon Mallik, president of Ward No. 3 of Jhalkathi municipal area, died mysteriously on January 15.
On April 16, there was a clash between councilors of Natore Municipality and local Awami League and Jubo League leaders over the sharing of contract work money. A person named Shihab Hossain Shishir was killed.
On April 30, Awami League leader Manjur Rahman was shot dead in the Azimnagar railway station area of Gopalpur town of Natore's Lalpur upazila. That Awami League leader was accused in the murder case of Jaharul Islam, who was Joint General Secretary of Municipal Jubo League and murdered on December 28, 2018.
According to human rights organization ASK, 210 incidents of violence between boat candidates and independent candidates occurred before and after the national elections. 1 thousand 748 people were injured and 13 people died. Six people died in violence in upazila parishad elections.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on June 29 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
