Two police personnel have been suspended over the assault and harassment of Bangladesh spinner Nayeem Hasan in Chattogram, while Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has expressed regret and apologised over the incident.
CMP Commissioner Shawkat Ali made the remarks this morning while visiting Nayeem at his residence in the Chandgaon area of Chattogram.
Shawkat said responsibility for any unprofessional conduct rests with the individuals involved and the police force would not take responsibility for such actions.
The CMP commissioner said the two police personnel involved in the alleged misconduct had been suspended and a three-member investigation committee had been formed. He added that departmental proceedings would also be initiated against them.
“We have formed a three-member committee to investigate what exactly happened. Disciplinary action will be taken against them. A departmental case will also be filed in connection with the incident,” he said.
During the visit, the CMP commissioner spoke with Nayeem’s father. Additional Commissioner (Administration and Finance) Wahidul Haque Chowdhury was also present.
Earlier, in a press release, the CMP said preliminary findings suggest unprofessional conduct by the officers while performing their duties.
The suspended officers are Sub-Inspector (Unarmed) Md Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan of Khulshi Police Station and Constable Md Rasel Chowdhury. Departmental proceedings have also been initiated against them, according to the CMP.
The press release said Nayeem encountered an “unfortunate incident” with members of Khulshi Police Station’s night patrol team in the Lalkhan Bazar area under Khulshi Police Station while returning to his home in Chattogram from Dhaka.
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) and several national cricketers condemned the alleged assault and called for a thorough investigation and action against those responsible.
According to a CWAB statement, Nayeem was stopped by police near Lalkhan Bazar while returning home after playing a Dhaka Premier League match in Savar.
The association alleged that police displayed hostile behaviour from the outset and that officers grabbed Nayeem by the throat when he attempted to speak. Despite bystanders informing the police that he was national cricketer Nayeem Hasan, he was allegedly beaten with a pipe.
CWAB further alleged that Nayeem was taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he was subjected to further mistreatment, and that the officers backed off only after he managed to call for assistance.
In a separate statement, the BCB expressed deep concern over the reported incident and strongly condemned what it described as “unacceptable and inappropriate conduct” towards the national cricketer.
The board called for a thorough and impartial investigation and urged the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those found responsible.