Outcry as cops assault nat’l cricketer

Bangladesh’s cricket community was left stunned after national team off-spinner Nayeem Hasan allegedly became the victim of police assault and harassment in Chattogram on Friday night, triggering widespread condemnation and swift action from the authorities.

The incident occurred when Nayeem was returning home after his team Prime Bank Cricket Club’s final Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) fixture in Savar.

According to the cricketer, he arrived in Chattogram on a delayed flight and was travelling home in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw when a few policemen stopped the vehicle near the Lalkhan Bazar flyover at around 11:25 pm.

Nayeem alleged that officers acted aggressively from the outset and physically assaulted him despite his cooperation and identification.

“I told them, ‘You can check my bag if needed.’ One of the officers grabbed me by the throat and forced me into their vehicle.”

The 26-year-old said he managed to get out and questioned the officers, but the situation escalated further.

“I asked them why they were grabbing me by the throat. After that, they continued assaulting and harassing me. Later, many people recognised me, and I showed them my ID card, but they still kept beating me,” he further alleged.

Videos of the incident spread rapidly on social media, drawing criticism from fans and the sporting community.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), and several national cricketers demanded a fair investigation and action against those responsible.

BCB strongly condemned what it called “unacceptable and inappropriate conduct” towards a national team player. CWAB also termed the incident “unacceptable for any citizen” and pledged full support for Nayeem, who has played 14 Tests for Bangladesh, taking 48 wickets since his national debut in 2018.

Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das expressed support via Facebook, writing: “Keep your head high, Nayeem. You are a wonderful person,” adding that no citizen, let alone a national cricketer, deserved such treatment.

Meanwhile, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) responded swiftly, suspending two officers -- sub-inspector Md Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan and constable Md Rasel Chowdhury -- and expressing regret over the incident.

CMP commissioner Shawkat Ali visited Nayeem’s residence, announced a three-member investigation committee, and said departmental proceedings would be initiated against the accused officers, stressing responsibility for any unprofessional conduct rested with the individuals involved.

Later, speaking in Chattogram yesterday, Nayeem thanked supporters and locals who gathered at the scene and accompanied him to the police station.

“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, who has 300 first-class wickets to his credit, added that he had already taken steps to avoid such incidents in future and was willing to cooperate with any lawful search.

He is part of the squad for the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe in Harare starting June 28.