Nayeem Hasan, a Bangladeshi cricketer, has alleged that he was assaulted by ‘sticks and pipes’ by police in Chattogram on Friday night. This happened when Nayeem was heading home from Dhaka airport after his team’s game in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match.
Nayeem didn’t play the game for Prime Bank Cricket Club that was held in Savar earlier in the day. He claimed that the CNG-powered autorickshaw he was riding in was pulled over by police in the vicinity of Lalkhan Bazar. Although he didn't know why the officers were acting aggressively, Nayeem regarded them as unfriendly.
He claimed that to transport him to a police station, they grabbed him by the throat and shoved him into another autorickshaw. The cops allegedly ignored witnesses' claims that he was a national cricket player.
"I repeatedly told them who I was, but they refused to listen. The police beat me indiscriminately with sticks and plastic pipes. Later, when I identified myself at the police station, the officer-in-charge told me to keep my eyes down while speaking. If they were really police officers, why did they try to put me into a CNG instead of a police vehicle? I want a fair investigation and justice over the entire incident,” Nayeem told reporters in Chattogram later, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Nayeem was released in the early hours of Saturday and returned home.
Reporters were informed by Amirul Islam, deputy commissioner of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, that those found guilty will face consequences.
"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 told the Daily Sun.
Veteran Bangladeshi player Mushfiqur Rahim reacted to the incident and said, "What happened to Nayeem is absolutely unacceptable. I want a fair investigation of the incident. I am hurt and ashamed at what happened to Nayeem. I protest this incident as a Bangladeshi citizen. Nayeem, we are with you!”
A "thorough and impartial investigation" into the incident is what the BCB anticipates, according to a statement released on Saturday morning.
"The Bangladesh Cricket Board expresses its deep concern regarding the reported incident involving harassment and abuse of Bangladesh national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan by some law enforcement agency members in Chattogram on Friday evening.
The board strongly condemns the unacceptable and inappropriate conduct displayed towards the player and views the matter with the utmost seriousness. Such treatment of a national athlete is deeply regrettable and warrants immediate attention. The BCB expects a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and urges the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those found responsible,” the BCB statement read.
Tamim Iqbal, the BCB president, also stated on his social media page.
"Whatever happened with Nayeem Hasan last night is not acceptable. After Nayeem called me last night, the other board officials and I have tried to do whatever we could to help him. We are speaking to everyone concerned and have been in close touch with Nayeem and his family, too.
The BCB has issued a statement condemning the incident, and whatever needs to be done from here on will also be done by the board. We are always with Nayeem and other cricketers,” he wrote.
The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh has also demanded strict action against those involved in Nayeem's alleged harassment.
Meanwhile, Nayeem Hasan will be part of the Bangladesh squad that will travel to Bangladesh for a one-off Test. He has played 14 Tests since his debut in 2018.
(ESPNCricinfo report)
