48 killed in police custody, crossfires

Forty-eight people died in custody of law enforcement agencies and in "gunfights" in the first nine months of this year, said rights body Ain o Salish Kendro on Friday.

Of them, 34 were killed in so-called "crossfire", "gunfight", "exchange of fire" or "encounters" with law enforcement agencies, nine in firing, while four from torture by law enforcement agencies. Besides, one died of a heart attack after being arrested as claimed by police, according to an ASK report.

The report, prepared based on the news run by different national dailies, said a journalist was shot dead while 154 others became victims of torture, attacks, cases and harassment during the period.

The rights body said incidents of rape, sexual harassment and violence against women, torture and acid throwing increased in the nine months compared to the corresponding period last year.

At least 1,085 women were raped in the last nine months. Of them, 203 were gang-raped, 39 were killed after being raped while eight died by suicide after being raped. Besides, 256 attempted rape incidents were reported during the period, found the report.

In the corresponding period last year, at least 975 women were raped, according to the report.

ASK further said 101 women became victims of sexual harassment in the nine months this year. Ten of them died by suicide while three were killed.

The report found that 71 men came under attack for protesting sexual harassment of women and four of them were killed. Besides, 527 women became victims of family violence. Of them, 303 were killed.

It said 182 women were tortured for dowry, including 60 killed. A total of 38 domestic helps were tortured and 12 of them were killed, the report mentioned.