Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) said in a report that 875 people were killed in the anti-discrimination student movement from July 16 to September 9.
The HRSS disclosed this information in a press release on Friday (13 September). According to the circular, this report has been prepared by analyzing the data sent by 12 national dailies, HRSS’s data-research unit and volunteers from across the country.
According to the report, 77 percent of the victims died of gunshot wounds. Besides, more than 30,000 people were injured in the coup.
The report also said that a total of 772 people have received information about the manner of death. Among them, 599 people or 77 percent were shot dead. 61 (8 percent) died of burns. 85 people (11 percent) were beaten to death. 27 (4 percent) died of other causes.
According to HRSS, the age, occupation, cause of death of some of the deceased have been analysed. It said 327 people died from July 16 to August 3 and 548 from August 4 to September 9 (many died later while undergoing treatment). A whopping 77 percent of those killed were shot. 19 to 30 year olds died more. This rate is 53 percent. And by the age of 30, the death rate stands at 70 percent. Students accounted for the highest number of casualties, at 52 percent. Most were killed in shootings and police attacks.
The HRSS also said that the Chhatra League was ordered to attack the protesting students. Along with the police, RAB, Ansar, SWAT, BGB and army were deployed. The law enforcers used lethal weapons such as illegal use of helicopter gunfire, tear gas shells, AK-style assault rifles on the protesting students.