Nayeem Hasan assault triggers police action as three officers face suspension

On the incident of assaulting national cricketer Nayeem Hasan, the government of Bangladesh has taken some quick action. As per the latest updates, three police officers involved in the Friday night incident have been suspended.

Harassment of a national team cricketer has ignited a widespread controversy across Bangladesh. Why the cricketer was harassed and taken to the police station was not clear, though. Along with the suspension of three police officers, a three-member investigation committee has also been set up to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Three alleged officers have been suspended

As per the latest media reports, sub-inspector Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, constable Mohammad Rasel Chowdhury, and an unnamed police operations management constable are the three police officers who have been suspended.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) commissioner Shawkat Ali has assured that a proper investigation will be conducted. Ali visited the victim cricketer’s house as well. On Saturday, CMP deputy commissioner Amirul Islam said that the alleged officers, who were on duty then, were not following the proper way during their operations.

“It appears initially that the officers involved did not follow proper procedures during the operation. We will ensure that he [Nayeem] receives justice, and whoever is found responsible will be brought under punishment,” Amirul Islam told the media.

What did happen with the cricketer Nayeem Hasan?

It was alleged that Nayeem Hasan was assaulted when he was returning to his home in Chattogram from the Dhaka airport after his team, Prime Bank Cricket Club’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match. While he was in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw, the police officers at the Lalkhan Bazar area stopped the vehicle and harassed Nayeem Hasan.

If the reports are to be believed, then the alleged officers caught the cricketer by the throat as well. Later, they took Nayeem Hasan to the police station in a different vehicle.

“When the police took me to Khulshi Police Station, I appealed to them. The supporters also came from Lalkhan Bazar to the police station with me that night,” according to the cricketer himself.

“When they put me into the CNG, I was very frightened. If the 100 to 120 supporters and local people had not been present, the incident could have turned out differently. I would especially like to thank them. When the police took me to Khulshi Police Station, I appealed to them. The supporters also came from Lalkhan Bazar to the police station with me that night,” Nayeem Hasan was quoted in The Daily Star.

BCB chief reacts strongly to the incident

As soon as the incident spread on a larger scale, cricketers of the Bangladesh national team and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed disbelief. BCB, however, issued a more promising stance against such incidents where a cricketer was allegedly assaulted by police.

“From the moment Nayeem called me, I, along with other board directors, tried to take all the necessary steps immediately. We have been in contact with all the relevant authorities and are also maintaining close communication with Nayeem and his family,” BCB head Tamim Iqbal said in his official reaction.